explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:1676: Full-Width Justification

2016-05-04T12:58:17Z

Demro:

I added the emoji snake. Is emoji snake the same as a Unicode snake would be? [[User:Azule|Azule]] ([[User talk:Azule|talk]]) 05:46, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:I assumed Unicode snakes would use three different characters: a head, a body segment, and a tail. Your solution is good, but objectively not perfect compared to what's shown in the comic.
:So what ''would'' be the optimal snake transcription method here? A parenthetical aside saying "''A drawing of a snake stretches to the right end of the line.''"? Or should we just blackmail the Unicode consortium again? [[User talk:AgentMuffin|~AgentMuffin]]
::The correct solution is obviously to include a 16 Mpixel image of a snake.[[User:Henke37|Henke37]] ([[User talk:Henke37|talk]]) 07:41, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:::Emoji full snake is already in Unicode as Azule knows. &#x1f40d = 🐍
:::Segmented snake needs at least three characteres: head, e.g. °, body e.g ~ and tail, e.g. ◝.
:::Three segment snake °~◝
:::Four segment snake: °~~◝
:::[[User:Demro|Demro]] ([[User talk:Demro|talk]]) 12:45, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Could the title text also be a reference to the snake in umwelt? [[User:Azule|Azule]] ([[User talk:Azule|talk]]) 05:46, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Amazon is notorious for being bad at this. Here's a somewhat related [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzdugwr4Fgk Computerphile video]. [[User:Eno|Eno]] ([[User talk:Eno|talk]]) 06:32, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Also, funnily enough, the filler text and the snakes were used in medieval (hand-written) manuscripts. Although it's not a snake but usually a nondescript wriggle that could only pass as a snake when you're squinting really hard. For filler text it's usually low-content words like "truly", "verily", "indeed", "without fail", "in truth" or stuff like that. So it's really an old problem with no satisfactory solution developed in hundreds of years... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.85.93|162.158.85.93]] 08:19, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:This practice of filling the line with a dingbat carried on into the days of handset letterpress (i.e. up until the early 1900's), although it gradually became more whimsical and so less frequent in serious works.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.241.123|108.162.241.123]] 12:28, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

In practice you reformulate. Not necessarily insert filler words, but just reorder the sentence enough that justification works. That is assuming the automated justification doesn't work, which will try a combination of multiple methods like word-spacing, letter-spacing and hyphenation. Imagine hyphenating at "de-" instead, but adding a little bit extra letter space in "between", and almost double normal word space between "between" and "de-".[[Special:Contributions/162.158.114.222|162.158.114.222]] 08:20, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:Reformulating can only be done with the (tacit or explicit) permission of the author. There are situations where rewording would not be allowed.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.241.123|108.162.241.123]] 12:28, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

While the arabic part is interesting, I don't feel it to be very relevant here. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.249.156|108.162.249.156]] 09:11, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:It is relevant because is yet another solution (useful only in Arabic). [[User:Demro|Demro]] ([[User talk:Demro|talk]]) 12:47, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Sorry- how do add a [citation needed] in superscript? [[User:Transuranium|Transuranium]] ([[User talk:Transuranium|talk]])Transuranium

Talk:1676: Full-Width Justification

2016-05-04T12:47:50Z

Demro:

I added the emoji snake. Is emoji snake the same as a Unicode snake would be? [[User:Azule|Azule]] ([[User talk:Azule|talk]]) 05:46, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:I assumed Unicode snakes would use three different characters: a head, a body segment, and a tail. Your solution is good, but objectively not perfect compared to what's shown in the comic.
:So what ''would'' be the optimal snake transcription method here? A parenthetical aside saying "''A drawing of a snake stretches to the right end of the line.''"? Or should we just blackmail the Unicode consortium again? [[User talk:AgentMuffin|~AgentMuffin]]
::The correct solution is obviously to include a 16 Mpixel image of a snake.[[User:Henke37|Henke37]] ([[User talk:Henke37|talk]]) 07:41, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:::Emoji full snake is already in Unicode as Azule knows. &#x1f40d = 🐍
:::Segmented snake needs at least three characteres: head, e.g. °, body e.g ~ and tail, e.g. \.
:::Three segment snake °~\
:::Four segment snake: °~~\
:::[[User:Demro|Demro]] ([[User talk:Demro|talk]]) 12:45, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Could the title text also be a reference to the snake in umwelt? [[User:Azule|Azule]] ([[User talk:Azule|talk]]) 05:46, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Amazon is notorious for being bad at this. Here's a somewhat related [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzdugwr4Fgk Computerphile video]. [[User:Eno|Eno]] ([[User talk:Eno|talk]]) 06:32, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Also, funnily enough, the filler text and the snakes were used in medieval (hand-written) manuscripts. Although it's not a snake but usually a nondescript wriggle that could only pass as a snake when you're squinting really hard. For filler text it's usually low-content words like "truly", "verily", "indeed", "without fail", "in truth" or stuff like that. So it's really an old problem with no satisfactory solution developed in hundreds of years... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.85.93|162.158.85.93]] 08:19, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:This practice of filling the line with a dingbat carried on into the days of handset letterpress (i.e. up until the early 1900's), although it gradually became more whimsical and so less frequent in serious works.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.241.123|108.162.241.123]] 12:28, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

In practice you reformulate. Not necessarily insert filler words, but just reorder the sentence enough that justification works. That is assuming the automated justification doesn't work, which will try a combination of multiple methods like word-spacing, letter-spacing and hyphenation. Imagine hyphenating at "de-" instead, but adding a little bit extra letter space in "between", and almost double normal word space between "between" and "de-".[[Special:Contributions/162.158.114.222|162.158.114.222]] 08:20, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:Reformulating can only be done with the (tacit or explicit) permission of the author. There are situations where rewording would not be allowed.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.241.123|108.162.241.123]] 12:28, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

While the arabic part is interesting, I don't feel it to be very relevant here. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.249.156|108.162.249.156]] 09:11, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:It is relevant because is yet another solution (useful only in Arabic). [[User:Demro|Demro]] ([[User talk:Demro|talk]]) 12:47, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Sorry- how do add a [citation needed] in superscript? [[User:Transuranium|Transuranium]] ([[User talk:Transuranium|talk]])Transuranium

Talk:1676: Full-Width Justification

2016-05-04T12:45:48Z

Demro:

I added the emoji snake. Is emoji snake the same as a Unicode snake would be? [[User:Azule|Azule]] ([[User talk:Azule|talk]]) 05:46, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:I assumed Unicode snakes would use three different characters: a head, a body segment, and a tail. Your solution is good, but objectively not perfect compared to what's shown in the comic.
:So what ''would'' be the optimal snake transcription method here? A parenthetical aside saying "''A drawing of a snake stretches to the right end of the line.''"? Or should we just blackmail the Unicode consortium again? [[User talk:AgentMuffin|~AgentMuffin]]
::The correct solution is obviously to include a 16 Mpixel image of a snake.[[User:Henke37|Henke37]] ([[User talk:Henke37|talk]]) 07:41, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:::Emoji full snake is already in Unicode as Azule knows. &#x1f40d = 🐍
:::Segmented snake needs at least three characteres: head, e.g. °, body e.g ~ and tail, e.g. \.
:::Three segment snake °~\
:::Four segment snake: °~~\
:::[[User:Demro|Demro]] ([[User talk:Demro|talk]]) 12:45, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Could the title text also be a reference to the snake in umwelt? [[User:Azule|Azule]] ([[User talk:Azule|talk]]) 05:46, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Amazon is notorious for being bad at this. Here's a somewhat related [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzdugwr4Fgk Computerphile video]. [[User:Eno|Eno]] ([[User talk:Eno|talk]]) 06:32, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Also, funnily enough, the filler text and the snakes were used in medieval (hand-written) manuscripts. Although it's not a snake but usually a nondescript wriggle that could only pass as a snake when you're squinting really hard. For filler text it's usually low-content words like "truly", "verily", "indeed", "without fail", "in truth" or stuff like that. So it's really an old problem with no satisfactory solution developed in hundreds of years... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.85.93|162.158.85.93]] 08:19, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:This practice of filling the line with a dingbat carried on into the days of handset letterpress (i.e. up until the early 1900's), although it gradually became more whimsical and so less frequent in serious works.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.241.123|108.162.241.123]] 12:28, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

In practice you reformulate. Not necessarily insert filler words, but just reorder the sentence enough that justification works. That is assuming the automated justification doesn't work, which will try a combination of multiple methods like word-spacing, letter-spacing and hyphenation. Imagine hyphenating at "de-" instead, but adding a little bit extra letter space in "between", and almost double normal word space between "between" and "de-".[[Special:Contributions/162.158.114.222|162.158.114.222]] 08:20, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:Reformulating can only be done with the (tacit or explicit) permission of the author. There are situations where rewording would not be allowed.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.241.123|108.162.241.123]] 12:28, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

While the arabic part is interesting, I don't feel it to be very relevant here. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.249.156|108.162.249.156]] 09:11, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Sorry- how do add a [citation needed] in superscript? [[User:Transuranium|Transuranium]] ([[User talk:Transuranium|talk]])Transuranium

Talk:1676: Full-Width Justification

2016-05-04T12:45:24Z

Demro:

I added the emoji snake. Is emoji snake the same as a Unicode snake would be? [[User:Azule|Azule]] ([[User talk:Azule|talk]]) 05:46, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:I assumed Unicode snakes would use three different characters: a head, a body segment, and a tail. Your solution is good, but objectively not perfect compared to what's shown in the comic.
:So what ''would'' be the optimal snake transcription method here? A parenthetical aside saying "''A drawing of a snake stretches to the right end of the line.''"? Or should we just blackmail the Unicode consortium again? [[User talk:AgentMuffin|~AgentMuffin]]
::The correct solution is obviously to include a 16 Mpixel image of a snake.[[User:Henke37|Henke37]] ([[User talk:Henke37|talk]]) 07:41, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:::Emoji (full) snake is already in Unicode as Azule knows. &#x1f40d = 🐍
:::Segmented snake needs at least three characteres: head, e.g. °, body e.g ~ and tail, e.g. \.
:::Three segment snake °~\
:::Four segment snake: °~~\
:::[[User:Demro|Demro]] ([[User talk:Demro|talk]]) 12:45, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Could the title text also be a reference to the snake in umwelt? [[User:Azule|Azule]] ([[User talk:Azule|talk]]) 05:46, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Amazon is notorious for being bad at this. Here's a somewhat related [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzdugwr4Fgk Computerphile video]. [[User:Eno|Eno]] ([[User talk:Eno|talk]]) 06:32, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Also, funnily enough, the filler text and the snakes were used in medieval (hand-written) manuscripts. Although it's not a snake but usually a nondescript wriggle that could only pass as a snake when you're squinting really hard. For filler text it's usually low-content words like "truly", "verily", "indeed", "without fail", "in truth" or stuff like that. So it's really an old problem with no satisfactory solution developed in hundreds of years... [[Special:Contributions/162.158.85.93|162.158.85.93]] 08:19, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:This practice of filling the line with a dingbat carried on into the days of handset letterpress (i.e. up until the early 1900's), although it gradually became more whimsical and so less frequent in serious works.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.241.123|108.162.241.123]] 12:28, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

In practice you reformulate. Not necessarily insert filler words, but just reorder the sentence enough that justification works. That is assuming the automated justification doesn't work, which will try a combination of multiple methods like word-spacing, letter-spacing and hyphenation. Imagine hyphenating at "de-" instead, but adding a little bit extra letter space in "between", and almost double normal word space between "between" and "de-".[[Special:Contributions/162.158.114.222|162.158.114.222]] 08:20, 4 May 2016 (UTC)
:Reformulating can only be done with the (tacit or explicit) permission of the author. There are situations where rewording would not be allowed.[[Special:Contributions/108.162.241.123|108.162.241.123]] 12:28, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

While the arabic part is interesting, I don't feel it to be very relevant here. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.249.156|108.162.249.156]] 09:11, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Sorry- how do add a [citation needed] in superscript? [[User:Transuranium|Transuranium]] ([[User talk:Transuranium|talk]])Transuranium

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-05-02T18:36:11Z

Demro: /* Errors */ Adding an image for error 5

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
In what follows we will use numpad notation for tic-tac-toe, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Pixel values are taken from http://xkcd.com/832_large/.

Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, and its optimal move is X7. Any corner would do, so X1, X3 and X9 are also optimal moves. The map for X has a big red X7 (650×650 pixels), and the 8 remaining grids have a smaller (210×210) black X7.

The map for O has more combinations, because in this case X is not assumed to be optimal. All 9 subgrids have one big (210×210) black X and one big red O.

Note that only optimal moves are shown. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2 in Map of X, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find a 660×660 grid beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in Map for X is X7. This means that O must go to cell 7 in Map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell O5. Therefore X must magnify cell 5 in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is X3, i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.
O| |
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
| |

Assume X moves X9.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
| |

In your drawing program you select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |X

You select cell 3 in your drawing program, which is 73×73 pixels and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
1) In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6.

[[Image:Tic-Tac-Toe-X-1-8.png]]

The correct pictures should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

2) In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

3) In Map for O, the grid for X8, O5, X2, O6 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 8, and then select cell 2) shows the same picture for X1 and X3. Those pictures belong to X3. The correct pictures should be:
|X| \ / |X|
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
X| |X / \ |X|X

4) In Map for O, the grid for X2, O5, X8, O4 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 2, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for X7 and X9. Those pictures belong to X7. The correct pictures should be:
X|X| \ / |X|X
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
|X| / \ |X|

5) In Map for O, the grid for X6, O5, X4, O2 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 6, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for X1 and X7. Those pictures belong to X1.

[[Image:Tic_Tac_Toe-O-6-4.png]]

The correct pictures should be:
X|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|
=====
\ /
\ /
X
/ \
/ \
=====
|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
X|O|

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

File:Tic Tac Toe-O-6-4.png

2016-05-02T18:34:31Z

Demro: A section of http://xkcd.com/832_large/ In Map for O, first select cell 6, and then cell 4. This is the same as selecting cell (7, 5) in a 9×9 grid.

== Summary ==
A section of http://xkcd.com/832_large/

In Map for O, first select cell 6, and then cell 4. This is the same as selecting cell (7, 5) in a 9×9 grid.
== Licensing ==
{{XKCD file derived}}

File:Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png

2016-05-02T18:31:19Z

Demro: Demro moved page File:Please delete-Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png to File:Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png over redirect: The problem fixed itself

File:Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png

2016-05-02T18:22:54Z

Demro: Demro moved page File:Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png to File:Please delete-Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png: I wasn't able to upload the correct version

File:Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png

2016-05-02T18:22:04Z

Demro: Demro uploaded a new version of "File:Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png": For some reason the prevous version was not updated. New attempt.

File:Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png

2016-05-02T18:18:21Z

Demro: Demro uploaded a new version of "File:Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png": Now this is true (it was wrong in the previous version): In Map for O, first select cell 6, and then cell 4. This is the same as selecting cell (7, 5) in a 9×9 grid.

File:Tic-Tac-Toe-O-6-4.png

2016-05-02T18:00:40Z

Demro: A section of http://xkcd.com/832_large/ In Map for O, first select cell 6, and then cell 4. This is the same as selecting cell (7, 5) in a 9×9 grid.

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-05-02T17:50:37Z

Demro: /* Errors */ Image for first error

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
In what follows we will use numpad notation for tic-tac-toe, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Pixel values are taken from http://xkcd.com/832_large/.

Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, and its optimal move is X7. Any corner would do, so X1, X3 and X9 are also optimal moves. The map for X has a big red X7 (650×650 pixels), and the 8 remaining grids have a smaller (210×210) black X7.

The map for O has more combinations, because in this case X is not assumed to be optimal. All 9 subgrids have one big (210×210) black X and one big red O.

Note that only optimal moves are shown. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2 in Map of X, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find a 660×660 grid beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in Map for X is X7. This means that O must go to cell 7 in Map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell O5. Therefore X must magnify cell 5 in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is X3, i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.
O| |
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
| |

Assume X moves X9.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
| |

In your drawing program you select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |X

You select cell 3 in your drawing program, which is 73×73 pixels and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
1) In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6.

[[Image:Tic-Tac-Toe-X-1-8.png]]

The correct pictures should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

2) In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

3) In Map for O, the grid for X8, O5, X2, O6 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 8, and then select cell 2) shows the same picture for X1 and X3. Those pictures belong to X3. The correct pictures should be:
|X| \ / |X|
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
X| |X / \ |X|X

4) In Map for O, the grid for X2, O5, X8, O4 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 2, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for X7 and X9. Those pictures belong to X7. The correct pictures should be:
X|X| \ / |X|X
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
|X| / \ |X|

5) In Map for O, the grid for X6, O5, X4, O2 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 6, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for X1 and X7. Those pictures belong to X1. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|
=====
\ /
\ /
X
/ \
/ \
=====
|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
X|O|

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

File:Tic-Tac-Toe-X-1-8.png

2016-05-02T17:40:31Z

Demro: A section of http://xkcd.com/832_large/ In Map for X, first select cell 1, and then cell 8. This is the same as selecting cell (2, 3) in a 9×9 grid.

== Summary ==
A section of http://xkcd.com/832_large/

In Map for X, first select cell 1, and then cell 8. This is the same as selecting cell (2, 3) in a 9×9 grid.
== Licensing ==
{{XKCD file derived}}

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-05-02T17:26:22Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ More detail

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
In what follows we will use numpad notation for tic-tac-toe, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Pixel values are taken from http://xkcd.com/832_large/.

Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, and its optimal move is X7. Any corner would do, so X1, X3 and X9 are also optimal moves. The map for X has a big red X7 (650×650 pixels), and the 8 remaining grids have a smaller (210×210) black X7.

The map for O has more combinations, because in this case X is not assumed to be optimal. All 9 subgrids have one big (210×210) black X and one big red O.

Note that only optimal moves are shown. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2 in Map of X, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find a 660×660 grid beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in Map for X is X7. This means that O must go to cell 7 in Map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell O5. Therefore X must magnify cell 5 in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is X3, i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.
O| |
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
| |

Assume X moves X9.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
| |

In your drawing program you select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |X

You select cell 3 in your drawing program, which is 73×73 pixels and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct pictures should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

In Map for O, the grid for X8, O5, X2, O6 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 8, and then select cell 2) shows the same picture for X1 and X3. Those pictures belong to X3. The correct pictures should be:
|X| \ / |X|
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
X| |X / \ |X|X

In Map for O, the grid for X2, O5, X8, O4 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 2, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for X7 and X9. Those pictures belong to X7. The correct pictures should be:
X|X| \ / |X|X
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
|X| / \ |X|

In Map for O, the grid for X6, O5, X4, O2 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 6, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for X1 and X7. Those pictures belong to X1. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|
=====
\ /
\ /
X
/ \
/ \
=====
|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
X|O|

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

1087: Cirith Ungol

2016-05-02T17:02:13Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ The Wikipedia quote was modified the same day the comic appeared

{{comic
| number = 1087
| date = July 27, 2012
| title = Cirith Ungol
| image = cirith_ungol.png
| titletext = My all-time favorite example of syntactic ambiguity comes from Wikipedia: 'Charlotte's Web is a children's novel by American author E. B. White, about a pig named Wilbur who is saved from being slaughtered by an intelligent spider named Charlotte.'
}}

==Explanation==
This comic is a mash-up between the ''{{w|Lord of the Rings}}'' trilogy and the novel ''{{w|Charlotte's Web}}''.

The title {{w|List_of_minor_places_in_Middle-earth#Cirith_Ungol|Cirith Ungol}} is a reference to ''Lord of the Rings'' where {{w|Frodo Baggins}} and {{w|Samwise Gamgee}} were led to Cirith Ungol by {{w|Gollum}} and to the lair of the ancient spider {{w|Shelob}}.

And therefore in this comic, Frodo (by himself) is being led into the lair of the spider, Charlotte. We can tell by the "Some Pig" writing in the spider web on the lower right hand corner which is a direct reference to the story of ''Charlotte's Web'', in which a spider named Charlotte writes the very same text in her web.

The title text refers to syntactic ambiguity which is a property of sentences which may be reasonably interpreted in more than one way, or reasonably interpreted to mean more than one thing. This allows us to derive two different meanings from the same sentence.

The second part of the title text is a quote from Wikipedia, which Randall enjoys for its syntactic ambiguity, as it can be logically interpreted in either of the following ways:
*Charlotte the spider saves Wilbur from slaughter.
*Charlotte the spider attempts to slaughter Wilbur, but he is saved.

This quote was modified the same day the comic appeared [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charlotte%27s_Web&diff=prev&oldid=504373211]. It could be found on [https://en.wikiquote.org/w/index.php?title=Charlotte%27s_Web_%28book%29&type=revision&diff=2121121&oldid=2039481 Wikiquote] until 27 April 2016.

A similar ambiguity explicitly discussed in the title text of [[1004: Batman]].

== Transcript ==
:[A character in a long flowing robe holds up the Phial of Galadriel in one hand; the One Ring is dangling from a necklace in the other. The scene is a cave, profuse with spiderwebs, bones hanging in some of them. On one of the webs are words, presumably written by the spider.]

:SOME PIG

==Trivia==
*This comic caused a minor edit war on Wikipedia's [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charlotte%27s_Web&diff=504553453&oldid=504551496 Charlotte's Web] article.

{{Comic discussion}}
[[Category:LOTR]]
[[Category:Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Spiders]]

1087: Cirith Ungol

2016-05-02T16:58:13Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Wikiquote doesn't have the ambiguity anymore

{{comic
| number = 1087
| date = July 27, 2012
| title = Cirith Ungol
| image = cirith_ungol.png
| titletext = My all-time favorite example of syntactic ambiguity comes from Wikipedia: 'Charlotte's Web is a children's novel by American author E. B. White, about a pig named Wilbur who is saved from being slaughtered by an intelligent spider named Charlotte.'
}}

==Explanation==
This comic is a mash-up between the ''{{w|Lord of the Rings}}'' trilogy and the novel ''{{w|Charlotte's Web}}''.

The title {{w|List_of_minor_places_in_Middle-earth#Cirith_Ungol|Cirith Ungol}} is a reference to ''Lord of the Rings'' where {{w|Frodo Baggins}} and {{w|Samwise Gamgee}} were led to Cirith Ungol by {{w|Gollum}} and to the lair of the ancient spider {{w|Shelob}}.

And therefore in this comic, Frodo (by himself) is being led into the lair of the spider, Charlotte. We can tell by the "Some Pig" writing in the spider web on the lower right hand corner which is a direct reference to the story of ''Charlotte's Web'', in which a spider named Charlotte writes the very same text in her web.

The title text refers to syntactic ambiguity which is a property of sentences which may be reasonably interpreted in more than one way, or reasonably interpreted to mean more than one thing. This allows us to derive two different meanings from the same sentence.

The second part of the title text is a quote from Wikipedia, which Randall enjoys for its syntactic ambiguity, as it can be logically interpreted in either of the following ways:
*Charlotte the spider saves Wilbur from slaughter.
*Charlotte the spider attempts to slaughter Wilbur, but he is saved.

This quote is no longer part of the Wikipedia article on the book. It could be found on [https://en.wikiquote.org/w/index.php?title=Charlotte%27s_Web_%28book%29&type=revision&diff=2121121&oldid=2039481 Wikiquote] until 27 April 2016.

A similar ambiguity explicitly discussed in the title text of [[1004: Batman]].

== Transcript ==
:[A character in a long flowing robe holds up the Phial of Galadriel in one hand; the One Ring is dangling from a necklace in the other. The scene is a cave, profuse with spiderwebs, bones hanging in some of them. On one of the webs are words, presumably written by the spider.]

:SOME PIG

==Trivia==
*This comic caused a minor edit war on Wikipedia's [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charlotte%27s_Web&diff=504553453&oldid=504551496 Charlotte's Web] article.

{{Comic discussion}}
[[Category:LOTR]]
[[Category:Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Spiders]]

1674: Adult

2016-04-29T14:52:37Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ In the last panel Megan is reading a will.

{{comic
| number = 1674
| date = April 29, 2016
| title = Adult
| image = adult.png
| titletext = (1) That shopping cart is full of AirHeads, and (2) I died at 41 from what the AirHeads company spokesperson called 'probably natural causes.'
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|The punchline is not explained.}}

In this comic, [[Cueball]] performs several mundane 'adult' tasks, namely shopping for groceries, buying furniture, and applying for a mortgage. In each instance he appears surprised or bemused at the fact that he is behaving like an adult.

In the last panel [[Megan]] is reading a will. It may be hers, Cueball's or belong to any of [[Hairbun]], [[Hairy]], or [[White Hat]].

[[Wikipedia:AirHeads|AirHeads]] are a tangy, taffy-like, chewy candy, predominantly known for its sweet taste and texture. The title text suggests Cueball still retains some more childish instincts, namely using the freedom of adulthood to indulge in AirHead candies, to fatal consequences.

See also [[905: Homeownership]] and [[616: Lease]], where [[Cueball]] similarly has difficulty accepting the reality of his adulthood.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball is holding onto a shopping cart.]
:Cueball (thinking): Haha, look at me grocery shopping! I'm such an adult.

:[Cueball is standing in front of a sofa.]
:Cueball (thinking): Buying a sofa! Ooh, look how domestic I am!

:[Cueball is sitting at a desk writing something with another Cueball on the opposite side of the desk.]
:Cueball (thinking): Applying for a mortgage! As if I'm a real grown-up.

:[Megan is reading from a piece of paper in front of a desk with Hairbun, Hairy, and White Hat behind it.]
:Megan: ...And I, being of sound mind and body, am totally writing a will right now!
:Megan: Can you believe this?

{{comic discussion}}

1673: Timeline of Bicycle Design

2016-04-27T14:47:45Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ grammar

{{comic
| number = 1673
| date = 27 April, 2016
| title = Timeline of Bicycle Design
| image = timeline of bicycle design.png
| titletext = I'll be honest--the 1950s were a rough time for cycling.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Still only scratching the surface of possible explanation. Also title text not mentioned.}}
[[Randall]] created a 200 year history for bicycles with 13 bike designs ranging from 1810 until today 2016.

But the only model that both looks like a real model and fits the year is the 1875 model, which seem to be a depiction of a {{w|Penny-farthing}}, which was popular in the 1870's up until the 1880's when the {{w|Safety bicycle}} took over. (It may be drawn without handlebars, but these were really small on that model, and might be too small for the drawing). The 1860 model looks like the {{w|American Star Bicycle}}, but that was first invented in the 1880s.

Some of the other examples of "bikes" could, however, look like those in the image at the top of the {{w|Velocipede}} Wikipedia page.

Interestingly enough only some of the bikes have drivers like [[Ponytail]] pole vaulting bike, and [[Cueball]] appears four times with [[Megan]] three times. Only in the 1900 design is Cueball drawn in a clearly different scale to indicate how huge that bike is, making it even bigger than the 1880 which continued the trend from 1860. This still leaves five designs without humans to compare the scale with.

Only two of the bikes have pedals (1875 and 2016) and only one has a sprocket with a chain (1980). Just above half have saddle (7), if the 1980 Megan holder is not counted as a saddle.

The 1925 model is reminiscent of a {{w|fractal}}; {{w|Benoit Mandelbrot}} was born just before 1925, in October 1924.

This comic (especially the 2016 bicycle) is possibly also a reference to [https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/~rlawson/cycleweb.html The Science of Cycology], a cognitive psychology project run by Rebecca Lawson at the University of Liverpool that asked study participants to draw a bicycle from memory. The error rate was high, supporting a hypothesis that humans over-estimate their ability to explain how things work.
Gianluca Gimini made a similar project, [http://www.gianlucagimini.it/prototypes/velocipedia.html Velocipedia]. Gimini asked people to draw free hand sketches of bicycles and rendered the results as real bikes.

Also, the designs given for the years from 1825 to 1925 distinctly resemble designs that tend to evolve in the various challenge environments in the genetic evolution game [http://boxcar2d.com/ BoxCar2D].

==Transcript==
:[13 drawings 8 in the top and 5 in the bottom row of different and weird "bicycle" designs. Above them there is a heading, and below each bike a year is given. On the very last cycle there is a drinking bottle with a label.]
:'''Timeline of Bicycle Design'''

:[Ponytail hanging on to a bending rod that goes down to a single normal sized bike wheel. It looks like a unicycle with no seat. The rod is bending quite a lot so she looks like she is about to use the contraption as a pole vault]
:1810

:[Cueball is running after a device holding on to a rod bend in several places before reaching the ground at a very small wheel that then is connected with a shorter rod to a normal sized bike wheel.]
:1825

:[Two normal sized bike wheels connected with a single rod between them.]
:1840

:[Megan sits on a large saddle on top of a double sized bike wheel, she has some kind of handle bars to hold on to (or it could just be the saddle) and then a small rod goes down to a half size front wheel.]
:1860

:[A regular drawing of a Penny-farthing with very small back wheel (half the size of the front wheel on the 1860 bike) and very large front wheel (larger than the 1860 bike) and pedals in the middle of the front wheel. The handle bars on such a bike is so small that it is likely they cannot be seen in this drawing.]
:1875

:[A huge wheel twice the size of the one on the Penny-farthing, and then a small wheel (like the small one on the Penny-farthing) hangs in a rod from the center of the giant wheel. The small wheel has a saddle attached, but it is not straight up.]
:1880

:[This is the largest bike. Not the largest drawings, but where the other have the characters in roughly the same size, this one has a small drawing of Cueball standing on top of the wheel holding on to some kind of handle bar. The wheel is about three time his height.]
:1900

:[Cueball sits in the "saddle" of a bike design the is similar to the Penny-farthing, but the saddle is more a rod, and the back wheel is on a rod going straight down from where the saddle ends. Also there are no pedals, and Cueball seems to hang on to the saddle reaching forward rather than having any control of the bike.]
:1915

:[A symmetrical saddle sits on top of single bike wheel, as with a unicycle but no pedals, but then there are (at least) six progressively smaller wheels in-line to the first, three to front and three to the rear, each new wheel approximately half the size of the one before. A possible fourth wheel, presumed to complete the set of medial stabilisers, can no longer be discerned from the rod that goes through the center of the larger wheels.]
:1925

:[Megan stands on top of a saddle with a oar that looks like the single-oar sculling used for gondolas in Venice. She holds this to the ground behind her, while trying to move her bike forward. The bike consists of four small wheels, one straight under her, one behind, one equally in front of her and the last even further in front. They are all connected to the saddle with individual rods.]
:1940

:[Three normal sized bike wheel are rolling down a hill after Cueball who runs away from them with his arms up.]
:1955

:[Megan sits on a bike contraption that seems to have a holder around her mid section rather than her sitting on a saddle. This holder goes to the back wheel below her, and there is actually a sprocket with a chain, although no clear pedals beneath her feet. She holds on to a very long handle bar, which connects with two long rods coming from the sprocket at the front end of the bike far ahead of Megan, below which is a wheel, to where the chain is actually going. Both wheels seems to be normal size.]
:1980

:[Another weird contraption of a bike with pedals on both normal sized wheels which have wheel guards on the side pointing down towards the front. The saddle hangs in a swing that connect to a rod above it which goes to the front of the bike and splits in two rods that connects to the center frame of the bike. In front of these there is a contraption that reminds of a handle bar, which sits just above the front wheel. The two wheels are connected with a long rod between the center of the wheels and in the middle of this is the center part of the frame going up toward the handle. On the middle of this is a bottle with a label. Towards the back wheel there are two rods sticking out, with no clear meaning.]
:2016
:Bottle: Milk

{{comic discussion}}



[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
[[Category:Charts]]

1673: Timeline of Bicycle Design

2016-04-27T13:00:51Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Link to author's page

{{comic
| number = 1673
| date = 27 April, 2016
| title = Timeline of Bicycle Design
| image = timeline of bicycle design.png
| titletext = I'll be honest--the 1950s were a rough time for cycling.
}}

==Explanation==
Randall created a 200 year history for bicycles. But the only model that actually looks like a real model is the 1875 model which seem to be a correct depiction of a {{w|Penny-farthing}}, which was popular in the 1870's up until the 1880's when the {{w|Safety bicycle}} took over. However, some of the other examples of "bikes" shown in the image at the top of the {{w|Velocipede}} Wikipedia page seems to be close to some of the other of Randall's bikes...

The 1925 model is reminiscent of a {{w|fractal}}; {{w|Benoit Mandelbrot}} was born just before 1925, in Ocotober 1924.

This comic is possibly also a reference to [https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/~rlawson/cycleweb.html The Science of Cycology], a cognitive psychology project run by Rebecca Lawson at the University of Liverpool that asked study participants to draw a bicycle from memory. The error rate was high, supporting a hypothesis that humans over-estimate their ability to explain how things work.
Gianluca Gimini made a similar project, [http://www.gianlucagimini.it/prototypes/velocipedia.html Velocipedia]. Gimini asked people to draw free hand sketches of bicycles and rendered the results as real bikes.

Alternatively, the comic could be an analogue to the process of meiosis and pregnancy. If each wheel of the bicycle represents a cell, than the bikes going from 1 wheel to two wheels to four would represent the zygote dividing twice into four haploid gametes. Once the gametes have been formed, they must interact with another human, here represented by the wheels chasing after a man. Then, the bicycle is ridden by a female for an amount of time, representing the process of pregnancy. Finally, after the process of pregnancy is complete, the bike/child grows up into a unique individual unlike any other bicycle in existence today. Another thing to note about this explanation is that the bicycles ridden by men are much easier to get moving, as spermatozoa are much more mobile than the female ovum.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript}}

{{comic discussion}}

Talk:1667: Algorithms

2016-04-13T12:34:21Z

Demro:

How can an excel spreadsheet be complicated? [[Special:Contributions/108.162.244.85|108.162.244.85]] 04:52, 13 April 2016 (UTC
:See this example http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/04/how-an-accountant-created-an-entire-rpg-inside-an-excel-spreadsheet/ {{unsigned ip|108.162.216.82}}
:: Oh my [[User:Nk22|The Twenty-second. The Not So Only. The Nathan/Nk22]] ([[User talk:Nk22|talk]]) 10:36, 13 April 2016 (UTC)
:::also http://www.geocities.jp/nchikada/pac/ (it's geocities!) --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.84|141.101.98.84]] 11:56, 13 April 2016 (UTC)

Leftpad is a reference to the recent incident where a developer unpublished all his libraries from the NodeJS Package Manager, causing much disruption: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/03/23/npm_left_pad_chaos/ [[Special:Contributions/162.158.85.231|162.158.85.231]] 05:58, 13 April 2016 (UTC)

In the off chance that this is referencing an actual spreadsheet, and if anyone has a link, please post it in my talk page. (And in the article of course, but talk page first) [[User:Mikemk|Mikemk]] ([[User talk:Mikemk|talk]]) 06:45, 13 April 2016 (UTC)

The remark about quicksort's efficiency doesn't make sense. It's still the most common and practical general sorting algorithm. It's about as efficient you can typically get except in specialized cases or with some specific type of data. Should be removed imo. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.81.121|141.101.81.121]] 08:52, 13 April 2016 (UTC)
:From Wikipedia: Quicksort (sometimes called partition-exchange sort) is an efficient sorting algorithm,
:From explainxkcd: Next is '''quicksort''', a classic (if not very efficient) way to sort a list of items [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1667:_Algorithms&diff=next&oldid=117700].
:[[User:Demro|Demro]] ([[User talk:Demro|talk]]) 12:34, 13 April 2016 (UTC)

Added a [Citation Needed] for the excel based RPG. More so I can read about it/play it than anything else.. [[User:Xseo|Xseo]] ([[User talk:Xseo|talk]]) 09:07, 13 April 2016 (UTC)
:Thank you whoever put that in [[User:Xseo|Xseo]] ([[User talk:Xseo|talk]]) 11:54, 13 April 2016 (UTC)

Added a bit to the church line. Just because you only see what happens on Sunday morning, for one hour, doesn't mean there's not more happening just beneath the surface. The classroom list at our church looks like a professional buildings office directory, and I know of members having to choose between two activities because both meet, or practice, at the same time. For instance, I know of a prospective AV team member who will never be a full time AV member, because she's a Soprano and already in Bells. (AV is setting up and debugging while the choir is practicing, and naturally it's hard to run a mixer or video switcher from the choir loft.)

Mind you, it's still hyperbole, but not to the degree previously given in the explanation.

is anyone else concerned that randall doesn't label his axis? is it logarithmic? --[[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.84|141.101.98.84]] 11:56, 13 April 2016 (UTC)

Is the Nebraskan excel sheet a loose reference to how you couldn't initially order Windows in Nebraska (from what I can gather), or am I over-analyzing this? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqKqQmSHkEg at 0:57) [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.85|141.101.98.85]] 12:18, 13 April 2016 (UTC)

1667: Algorithms

2016-04-13T12:30:16Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Quicksort is efficient more than classic

{{comic
| number = 1667
| date = April 13, 2016
| title = Algorithms
| image = algorithms.png
| titletext = There was a schism in 2007, when a sect advocating OpenOffice created a fork of Sunday.xlsx and maintained it independently for several months. The efforts to reconcile the conflicting schedules led to the reinvention, within the cells of the spreadsheet, of modern version control.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Still need an explanation of the title text, and perhaps some expanded definitions of the listed algorithms.}}
An algorithm is a basic set of instructions for performing a task, usually on a computer. This comic lists some algorithms in increasing order of complexity.

At the simplest end is '''left-pad''', or adding filler characters on the left end of a string to make it a particular length. In many programming languages, this is one line of code. This is possibly an allusion to a [http://www.haneycodes.net/npm-left-pad-have-we-forgotten-how-to-program/ recent incident] when {{w|Npm (software)|NodeJS Package Manager}} [https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160324/17160034007/namespaces-intellectual-property-dependencies-big-giant-mess.shtml angered a developer] in its handling of a trademark claim. The developer unpublished all of his modules from NPM, including a package implementing left-pad. A huge number of programs depended on this third-party library instead of programming it on their own, and they immediately ceased to function.

Next is '''{{w|Quicksort}}''', an efficient way to sort a list of items.

'''{{w|Git (software)|Git}}''' is a {{w|version control}} program, i.e., software that allows multiple people to work on the same files at the same time. When someone finalizes ("commits") their changes, the version control program needs to figure out how to join the new content with the existing content. This process is called '''{{w|Merge (version control)|merging}}''', and the algorithm for it is anything but simple.

A '''{{w|self-driving car}}''' is what it says on the tin: an automobile with sensors and software built into it so that it can maneuver in traffic autonomously, i.e. without a human controller. Various companies have been working on such vehicles for many years now, and while they're further along now than would have been imaginable even a couple of years ago, we're still far away from the dream of hopping in a driverless taxi and sitting back as the car itself navigates to where we want to be.

The '''{{w|Google Search}} backend''' is what enables you to type "what the heck is a leftpad algorithm" into your browser and have Google return a list of relevant results, including correcting "leftpad" to "left-pad", ignoring the "what the heck" part, and sometimes even summarizing the findings into a box at the top of the results. Behind all that magic is a way to remember what pages the internet contains, which is just a mind-bogglingly large quantity of data, and an even more mind-numbingly complex set of algorithms for processing that data.

The last item is the punchline: a sprawling {{w|Microsoft Excel|Excel}} {{w|spreadsheet}} built up over 20 years by a church group in Nebraska to coordinate their scheduling. Spreadsheets are a general {{w|end-user development}} programming technique, and therefore people use Excel for all sorts of purposes that have nothing to do with accounting (its original purpose), including one guy who made a [http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/04/how-an-accountant-created-an-entire-rpg-inside-an-excel-spreadsheet/ role-playing game that runs in Excel]; but even that doesn't approach the complexity that develops when multiple people of varying levels of experience use a spreadsheet over many years for the purpose of coordinating the schedule of several coordinated groups.

The scheduling of tasks over a group of resources (a.k.a. the ''{{w|nurse scheduling problem}}''), while respecting the constraints set by each person, is a {{w|NP-hardness|highly complex}} problem requiring stochastic or heuristic methods for its resolution. Here, the algorithm would be further complicated by being solved by inexpert users over a spreadsheet model without using engineering practices. The hyperbole here is in thinking that such combination of circumstances would produce complexity far over that required to drive a car or sort the public contents of the internet. A church always meets on Sunday morning, so there's no actual complexity in organizing that service, however, with different members involved in a wide variety of activities within and without the church, and the classrooms available to the church on Sunday itself, (just scheduling the choir practice times to coordinate with every ones work schedules is very possibly impossible, especially if two people share the same occupation, and one is the relief for the other,) can indeed be daunting.

In the title text, part of the spreadsheet's complexity is described as originating from different versions of the file for different programs. The words used like {{w|schism}} and {{w|sect}} are normally used in context of religions splitting into groups about differences in beliefs. In this case, the split seems to have been not over a {{w|theology|theological}} issue, but about the use of {{w|open-source software|open-source}} vs. {{w|proprietary software|proprietary}} software, disagreements about which are often compared to religious debates.

==Transcript==
'''Algorithms''' By Complexity
{|
|colspan="6" style="text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid;"|More complex →
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|style="padding-right:2em;"|Leftpad
|style="padding-right:2em;"|Quicksort
|style="padding-right:2em;"|GIT Merge
|style="padding-right:2em;"|Self- driving car
|style="padding-right:8em;"|Google Search backend
|Sprawling Excel spreadsheet built up over 20 years by a church group in Nebraska to coordinate their scheduling
|}

{{comic discussion}}


[[Category:Charts]]
[[Category:Google Search]]
[[Category:Programming]]

1667: Algorithms

2016-04-13T12:28:44Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Mr. Google is not funny

{{comic
| number = 1667
| date = April 13, 2016
| title = Algorithms
| image = algorithms.png
| titletext = There was a schism in 2007, when a sect advocating OpenOffice created a fork of Sunday.xlsx and maintained it independently for several months. The efforts to reconcile the conflicting schedules led to the reinvention, within the cells of the spreadsheet, of modern version control.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Still need an explanation of the title text, and perhaps some expanded definitions of the listed algorithms.}}
An algorithm is a basic set of instructions for performing a task, usually on a computer. This comic lists some algorithms in increasing order of complexity.

At the simplest end is '''left-pad''', or adding filler characters on the left end of a string to make it a particular length. In many programming languages, this is one line of code. This is possibly an allusion to a [http://www.haneycodes.net/npm-left-pad-have-we-forgotten-how-to-program/ recent incident] when {{w|Npm (software)|NodeJS Package Manager}} [https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160324/17160034007/namespaces-intellectual-property-dependencies-big-giant-mess.shtml angered a developer] in its handling of a trademark claim. The developer unpublished all of his modules from NPM, including a package implementing left-pad. A huge number of programs depended on this third-party library instead of programming it on their own, and they immediately ceased to function.

Next is '''{{w|Quicksort}}''', a classic way to sort a list of items.

'''{{w|Git (software)|Git}}''' is a {{w|version control}} program, i.e., software that allows multiple people to work on the same files at the same time. When someone finalizes ("commits") their changes, the version control program needs to figure out how to join the new content with the existing content. This process is called '''{{w|Merge (version control)|merging}}''', and the algorithm for it is anything but simple.

A '''{{w|self-driving car}}''' is what it says on the tin: an automobile with sensors and software built into it so that it can maneuver in traffic autonomously, i.e. without a human controller. Various companies have been working on such vehicles for many years now, and while they're further along now than would have been imaginable even a couple of years ago, we're still far away from the dream of hopping in a driverless taxi and sitting back as the car itself navigates to where we want to be.

The '''{{w|Google Search}} backend''' is what enables you to type "what the heck is a leftpad algorithm" into your browser and have Google return a list of relevant results, including correcting "leftpad" to "left-pad", ignoring the "what the heck" part, and sometimes even summarizing the findings into a box at the top of the results. Behind all that magic is a way to remember what pages the internet contains, which is just a mind-bogglingly large quantity of data, and an even more mind-numbingly complex set of algorithms for processing that data.

The last item is the punchline: a sprawling {{w|Microsoft Excel|Excel}} {{w|spreadsheet}} built up over 20 years by a church group in Nebraska to coordinate their scheduling. Spreadsheets are a general {{w|end-user development}} programming technique, and therefore people use Excel for all sorts of purposes that have nothing to do with accounting (its original purpose), including one guy who made a [http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/04/how-an-accountant-created-an-entire-rpg-inside-an-excel-spreadsheet/ role-playing game that runs in Excel]; but even that doesn't approach the complexity that develops when multiple people of varying levels of experience use a spreadsheet over many years for the purpose of coordinating the schedule of several coordinated groups.

The scheduling of tasks over a group of resources (a.k.a. the ''{{w|nurse scheduling problem}}''), while respecting the constraints set by each person, is a {{w|NP-hardness|highly complex}} problem requiring stochastic or heuristic methods for its resolution. Here, the algorithm would be further complicated by being solved by inexpert users over a spreadsheet model without using engineering practices. The hyperbole here is in thinking that such combination of circumstances would produce complexity far over that required to drive a car or sort the public contents of the internet. A church always meets on Sunday morning, so there's no actual complexity in organizing that service, however, with different members involved in a wide variety of activities within and without the church, and the classrooms available to the church on Sunday itself, (just scheduling the choir practice times to coordinate with every ones work schedules is very possibly impossible, especially if two people share the same occupation, and one is the relief for the other,) can indeed be daunting.

In the title text, part of the spreadsheet's complexity is described as originating from different versions of the file for different programs. The words used like {{w|schism}} and {{w|sect}} are normally used in context of religions splitting into groups about differences in beliefs. In this case, the split seems to have been not over a {{w|theology|theological}} issue, but about the use of {{w|open-source software|open-source}} vs. {{w|proprietary software|proprietary}} software, disagreements about which are often compared to religious debates.

==Transcript==
'''Algorithms''' By Complexity
{|
|colspan="6" style="text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid;"|More complex →
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|style="padding-right:2em;"|Leftpad
|style="padding-right:2em;"|Quicksort
|style="padding-right:2em;"|GIT Merge
|style="padding-right:2em;"|Self- driving car
|style="padding-right:8em;"|Google Search backend
|Sprawling Excel spreadsheet built up over 20 years by a church group in Nebraska to coordinate their scheduling
|}

{{comic discussion}}


[[Category:Charts]]
[[Category:Google Search]]
[[Category:Programming]]

856: Trochee Fixation

2016-04-08T21:25:20Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ deleting misleading wikipedia link. Everybody knows what a brick is

{{comic
| number = 856
| date = February 4, 2011
| title = Trochee Fixation
| image = trochee fixation.png
| titletext = If you Huffman-coded all the 'random' things everyone on the internet has said over the years, you'd wind up with, like, 30 or 40 bytes *tops*.
}}

==Explanation==

A {{w|trochee}} is a type of {{w|metric foot}}. A foot is a measure in poetry, it consists of stressed beats and unstressed beats. A trochee is a foot which consists of one stressed beat followed by an unstressed beat. "Trochee" itself is an example of this as you stress the first syllable and don't stress the second syllable ("TROH-kee".)

Trochee fixation is supposedly caused by people experiencing rushes of {{w|dopamine}} when they hear or speak trochees during their youth. Due to the rush of dopamine they become more fixated on trochees. In the endless quest for dopamine, they continue to search for trochees (typically on the internet) while also producing more places to encounter trochees meaning more fixation for others with the disorder. [[Megan]] proposes a "radical trocheeotomy" which appears to be a type of {{w|psychosurgery}} due to the erasing of memory. [[Cueball]] misinterprets Megan's intent as a "{{w|tracheotomy}}", a removal of the girl's vocal cords, of which he is in favor.

Megan proceeds with the trocheeotomy, but it sadly does not have the intended effect. Though the previous trochees have been removed, the girl immediately generates new ones: "BAN-jo," "TUR-tle," "JET-pack," "FER-ret," and so on. The correct way of removing the fixation would be to alter {{w|mesolimbic pathway}}. Megan, not realizing this, succumbs to attempting to removing the girl's trochee fixation via cranially-applied brick. Depending on how hard the girl is hit with the brick she may have memory loss and potentially forget all the trochees she knows, but if this method is carried out she will have significant brain damage and will likely start fixating on trochees that she hears.

There are references to {{w|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles}} and {{w|Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers}}, both of which are examples of actual, trochaic TV show titles. Additionally, there is a reference to sci/fi author {{w|Neal Stephenson}} who has written {{w|Snow Crash}}, {{w|Anathem}} and many other books.

"Jetpack ferret" could be a reference to [[20: Ferret]], although the ferret in question only had wings.

{{w|Huffman coding}} is a lossless data compression algorithm that works by recording a specific string and then only recording that the string is repeated a certain number of characters later on until eventually it only contains a "dictionary" of unique substrings and then mentions of where those substrings repeat. In highly repetitive data this can cut down the file size immensely, which is what Randall is implying by saying you would only end up with 30–40 bytes. Most of the "random" stuff said on the Internet has been said before.

Trochee and other types of poetry "feet" is the subject of [[1383: Magic Words]], and the trochaic form is explored further in [[1412: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]].

[http://blog.xkcd.com/2011/02/04/trochee-chart/ On the blog], Randall published statistics about the occurrence number of certain combinations (now obviously inaccurate).

==Transcript==
:Girl: Robot ninja! Pirate doctor laser monkey! Narwhal zombie badger hobo bacon kitty captain penguin raptor Jesus!

:Megan: We'd been seeing this brain damage for years, but only recently did our linguists identify the pattern behind it.

:Megan: The patients fixate on animals and types of people whose names are trochees (two syllables, with the accent on the first).

:The malfunction causes a rush of dopamine whenever these trochees are heard or spoken.
:[Chart shows "internet" and "brain," with arrows marked "trochees" traveling both ways between them. An arrow marked "dopamine" loops from the brain back to the brain.]

:The warning signs appear in childhood:
:[Child sits in front of TV.]
:Child: Yeah! Mighty teenage morphin' ninja power mutant turtle rangers!
:Social reinforcement focuses the fixation on a few dozen words.
:Cueball (off-panel): Is there a cure?

:[Girl is reclining under a big machine pointed at her face.]
:Megan: We're about to try a radical trocheeotomy.
:Cueball: Rip out her vocal chords? I'm in favor.
:Megan: No, we're modifying her vocabulary* to erase the words she's fixated on.
:<nowiki>*</nowiki>Digitoneurolinguistic hacking! It's totally real! Ask Neal Stephenson.

:Megan: Either the gap will be filled by normal words, or she'll just generate a new set of trochees.
:Megan: Here goes.
:[She pulls the lever on a large panel.]
:''kachunk bzzzZZZZZZ''

:[Girl is waking up.]
:Girl: ...GzZhRmPh ...
:Girl ...banjo turtle!
:Girl: Jetpack ferret pizza lawyer! Dentist hamster wombat plumber turkey jester hindu cowboy hooker bobcat scrapple!
:Megan (off-panel): Sigh.
:Megan: Time for plan B.
:Cueball: Someone get a brick.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Language]]

851: Na

2016-04-08T21:16:32Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ "Not long after this comic was published" must be at the end

{{comic
| number = 851
| date = January 24, 2011
| title = Na
| image = na.png
| titletext = I hear that there are actual lyrics later on in Land of 1,000 Dances, but other than the occasional 'I said,' I've never listened long enough to hear any of them.
}}

==Explanation==
The top entry refers to the song "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsaTElBljOE Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye]", originally recorded by Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo, and Dale Frashuer. It has become very popular among the home fans of sporting events in America, who use it to taunt the away team.

The leftmost bottom entry refers to the theme song to the 60s TV show ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qP-NglUeZU Batman]''.

The central bottom entry refers to the theme song to the video game ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpFFzWPzA2c Katamari Damacy]''.
The Katamari Damacy theme song was the cause of the [[161: Accident|Accident]] in comic 161.

The rightmost bottom entry refers to the song "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fa4BfPQiKs Land of a Thousand Dances]", originally recorded by Chris Kenner.

Not long after this comic was published, the following message was posted by [[Randall Munroe|Randall]] on his xkcd page:

:I can't ''believe'' I forgot Hey Jude.
:I don't get do-overs, but I couldn't resist making [[:File:na make it better.png|a fixed version]].

The extra, do-over entry refers to the song "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfTrthOpKCA Hey Jude]", originally recorded by the Beatles. The name of the fixed version, 851_make_it_better, refers to the song's lyrics: "Take a sad song / And '''make it better'''."

This is one of many {{w|Flowchart|flowchart}} comics. A full list can be found [[:Category:Flowcharts|here]].

==Transcript==
:[A flowchart.]
:Na->Na->Na->Na->Na->Na->Na->Na (branches to ->Hey->Hey->Goodbye and ->Batman!) ->Na->Na (branches to Katamari Damacy!) ->Na (arrow labeled "Land of 1,000 Dances) loops around to the last Na again)

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Flowcharts]]
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Video games]]

850: World According to Americans

2016-04-08T21:12:18Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Wikipedia link. Also, there are no typos in handwriting

{{comic
| number = 850
| date = January 21, 2011
| title = World According to Americans
| image = world according to americans.png
| titletext = It's not our fault we caught a group on their way home from a geography bee. And they taught us that Uzbekistan is one of the world's two doubly-landlocked countries!
}}

==Explanation==
''See a larger version at [http://xkcd.com/850_large/ http://xkcd.com/850_large/].''

There's a somewhat well-circulated image on the internet entitled "[http://google.com/search?q=the+world+according+to&tbm=isch The World According to Americans]" which plays on the stereotype of the ignorant American. In it, the entirety of Eastern Europe and most of Asia are entitled "commies" and the Middle-East as "evil-doers," and so on. Later, other people created similar maps to re-do the concept. It later spread to other cultures. This comic is an anti-joke playing on that idea. You expect to see something which plays on the stereotypes that exist in American culture of various parts of the world. However, instead, the map is remarkably well-informed, because the people who were interviewed had studied for a geography bee as is explained in the panel and in the title text.

A few notes about things written inside the map:

{| class="wikitable"
!style="width: 25%;"|Annotation
! Further details
|-
| Hey so what projection should we use? I’ll aim for “Robinson”.
| Any flat [[977|map projection]] of a sphere must have inaccuracies. {{w|Mercator projection}} displays shapes well at the expense of size. For example, Mercator's Greenland appears larger than South America, but is actually one eighth the size. {{w|Gall-Peters projection}} does the opposite, showing accurate surface area with distorted ("awful") shapes. {{w|Robinson projection}} compromises between shape & size for aesthetics; hence Greenland is "still too big".
|-
| Did you know Maine is actually the US state closest to Africa?
| The distance ist about 5076 km (~3754 mi). Measurement points are {{w|Sail Rock (disambiguation)|Sail Rock (Maine)}}, the most eastern point of the USA, and a point which seems to be the most southern (and as such western) point of el-Beddouza Beach, {{w|Morocco}}. It's not the most western point of Morocco (or Africa), though.
|-
| Do we have to label all the Virgin Islands?
| Which are {{w|Virgin_Islands#Larger_Islands|9 larger}} and about 100 {{w|List of Caribbean islands#British Virgin Islands|smaller}} {{w|List of Caribbean islands#United States Virgin Islands|islands}} - surely a lot of labels.
|-
| French, and I think Dutch and English
| The three separated areas are (from west to east) {{w|Guyana}} (former British colony), {{w|Suriname}} (former Dutch colony) and {{w|French Guiana}} (still officially part of France). The former two often switched between French, Dutch and British colonial rule. The latter was French most times except of a short Portuguese episode.
|-
| Brazil (Portugese-speaking)
Rest of South America (Spanish-speaking)
| In green is Portuguese-speaking Brazil, and in blue are the Spanish speaking Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.
|-
| {{w|Greenland}} (Still too big!)
Yeah, but the Peters map is awful
| Relating back to the choice of map projection, the apparent size of Greenland is one of the most commonly known projection based inaccuracies. The {{w|Gall-Peters projection}} shows accurate surface area, but with distorted ("awful") shapes.
|-
|Scandanavia
| A typo of {{w|Scandinavia}}.
|-
| Western Europe
Eastern Europe
| The line here approximately follows that of the {{w|Iron Curtain}} that separated the {{w|Warsaw Pact}} states (the Soviet Union and other Communist allies) from the {{w|NATO}} (US-allied) and neutral states. However, all of Germany is included in Western Europe (when during the Cold War it was divided into East and West Germany) while Austria (which was officially neutral in the Cold War but closely tied to the West and therefore blocked off from its Communist neighbours) is marked as Eastern Europe. Here, Eastern Europe also includes the {{w|Balkans}} (the southern peninsula east of Italy), which are usually considered separate. During the Cold War, the Balkans were divided between Soviet-allied Albania (which later left the Pact) and Bulgaria, NATO-allied Greece and Turkey, and Yugoslavia, which was a neutral Communist state. It's also worth noting that there should be a blob of Russian red in the middle of Eastern Europe, representing the Russian exclave of {{w|Kaliningrad oblast}}.
|-
| British Isles
Ireland
| Although {{w|Ireland}} belongs to the {{w|British Isles}} geographically, it does not belong to the {{w|British Islands}} politically. That may be the reason why Ireland is labelled additionally - to show it's known that Ireland does not belong to the {{w|United Kingdom}}. {{w|Northern Ireland}} does, though.
|-
| Rainforest DRC
| The area shown is actually not completely the {{w|Democratic Republic of the Congo}} (DRC), but since Randall said he doesn't know the African map very well (see statement below), it's fairly accurate.
|-
| So this is one of those things where you point out our ignorance and stereotypes?
Yeah – I mean I freely admit I don’t know the African map very well, which speaks volumes in itself.
| The African portion of the map is perhaps the most poorly labelled, which lends weight to the stereotype of the 'Ignorant American'. Although it has to be mentioned, that the geography of Africa is in general not well known - at least within the Western world. So that's not really an American thing, here. The few countries which are labelled here mostly are well known because of their unstable political situation or because of their remarkable location. The labelled locations (and the presumably reasons of their "publicity") are west to east, north to south: {{w|Morocco}} ({{w|Arab Spring}}, location), {{w|Algeria}} (Arab Spring, {{w|Algerian Civil War|Civil War}}), {{w|Sahara|Sahara Desert}} (largest hot desert of the world), {{w|Sudan}} ({{w|Second Sudanese Civil War|Civil war}}, Arab Spring), {{w|West Africa}} ({{w|West Africa#Postcolonial era|Lots of Civil wars}} and thus bad humanitary situation, {{w|Blood diamond|Blood diamonds}}), {{w|Somalia}} ({{w|Somali Civil War|Civil war}}, {{w|Piracy in Somalia|pirates}}), {{w|Lake Victoria}} (largest lake of Africa, quite remarkable even at large scale maps (as here)), {{w|Mozambique}} ({{w|Mozambican Civil War|Civil war}}), {{w|Angola}} ({{w|Angolan Civil War|Civil War}}) and {{w|Madagascar}} (large island at the east coast - quite remarkable).
|-
| Cape Horn
| {{w|Cape Horn}} is the southern tip of ''South America'', not ''Africa''. The southern tip of Africa is called {{w|Cape of Good Hope}}.
|-
| Should we include {{w|Antarctica}}?
Let’s not – these guys are looking impatient
| This is probably a joke on the lack of labels that would be required for Antarctica. Drawing Antarctica and labelling it would probably take less time than having the discussion about whether to include it, and then writing that discussion on the map.
|-
| {{w|Aral Sea}} (Gone)
| Former one of the largest fresh-water lakes of the world, now actually not completely gone, but almost.
|-
| Various former soviet states
| Which are (west to east) {{w|Kazakhstan}}, {{w|Turkmenistan}}, {{w|Uzbekistan}}, {{w|Tajikistan}} and {{w|Kyrgyzstan}}. The former {{w|Soviet Union|Union of Soviet Socialist Republics}} was dissolved in 1991 and thus the {{w|Cold War}} had ended.
|-
| Boxing Day quake
Wait, “Boxing day”? There’s no way you’re American.
I read BBC News, OK?
| On December 26, 2004, a {{w|2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|huge earthquake}} struck off the coast of Indonesia, causing severe tsunamis. December 26, the day after {{w|Christmas Day}}, is celebrated as {{w|Boxing Day}} in the UK, Canada, Australia, and some other English-speaking countries, but not the US. As such, the earthquake became known as the Boxing Day Quake.
One of the group picks up on the use of 'Boxing Day' as something no American would say. Even an American reader of {{w|BBC News}} (part of the British Broadcasting Corporation) may start to use the phrase "Boxing Day."
|-
| India -> Mostly Muslim
India -> Mostly Hindu
| In general {{w|India}} is separated in {{w|Religion in India|two religious groups}}. Muslims in the north-west, Hindus in the rest.
|-
| Tibet (contested)
| The area was annexed by the {{w|People's Republic of China}} in the 1950's. Since then there are struggles to gain independence, again. The marked area represents the former {{w|Kingdom of Tibet}}. while today's {{w|Tibet Autonomous Region}} is roughly the southern half of the marked area extended a bit to the south-east.
|-
| Kamchatka Peninsula, but I admit I only know this one from Risk
|''{{w|Risk (game)|Risk}}'' is a board game played on a map of the world, where players own territories and battle each other for world domination. The person in the comic admits to knowing {{w|Kamchatka Peninsula}} only from the territory "Kamchatka" in the game.
|-
| Koreas
| The two Koreas are the ''{{w|Democratic People's Republic of Korea}}'' (North Korea) and the ''{{w|Republic of Korea}}'' (South Korea).
|-
| Japan, duh.
| Well... {{w|Japan}}.
|-
| Taiwan (actually called “The Republic of China” – it’s complicated.
| This is a reference to the complicated political history of {{w|Taiwan}}. After the {{w|Chinese Civil War}}, the Nationalists fled China for Taiwan and set up a government in exile there, vowing to return. In the intervening 70 years or so, Taiwan eventually began to transform into a democracy, but hasn't shed the name, or the animosity with China. There is also a missing end-paren here, which is either a typo or a reference to [[859]]. The tag 'it's complicated' is one of the options for relationship statuses on Facebook, and denotes two people whose relationship defies the usual labels. In this case it is the relationship between the countries which is complicated.
|-
| Sulawesi
| As a running gag, the island of {{w|Sulawesi}} (formerly known as Celebes) is depicted in several map-like drawings and charts (see [[256: Online Communities]], [[273: Electromagnetic Spectrum]], [[802: Online Communities 2]], and [[1555: Exoplanet Names 2]]). Of course, there are good reasons to show it on an actual world map like the one here.
|-
| Paupa New Guinea
| A spelling mistake of {{w|Papua New Guinea}}.
|-
| Phillipines
| A spelling mistake of the {{w|Philippines}}.
|}

The title text jokes that in fact the only reason that the map is fairly well annotated is that the group of people labelling it were actually on the way back from a {{w|National Geographic Bee|geography bee (competition)}}. This would call into question that surely a competitor in a geography competition should be able to do better than the map shown, which would thus reinforce the 'Ignorant American' stereotype, as this is an American ''expert''. (Although, as the illustrators wrote below Cape Horn, the reason they did not draw Antarctica or many South American, Middle Eastern and British countries and the lack of detail may be because Randall was 'looking impatient.')

A landlocked country is a country that does not border any major bodies of water. Furthering the concept, a doubly-landlocked country is a country that not only has no connection to water, but is only bordered by ''other'' landlocked countries. As the title text states, there are only two such countries in the world as of 2012: {{w|Uzbekistan}} and {{w|Liechtenstein}}. This is the type of fact that may be stereotypically expected of a geography bee competitor.

==Transcript==

:THE WORLD
:According to a Group of
:'''AMERICANS'''
:who turned out to be unexpectedly good at geography, derailing our attempt to illustrate their country's attitude toward the rest of the world.

:[Left to right, up to down.]

:[North of Canada.] Hey so what projection should we use?
:I'll aim for "Robinson."

:[North America.] Alaska; Canada; Hudson Bay; Québec; United States
:Did you know Maine is actually the US state closest to Africa?; Bermuda (British!)

:[Central America.] Baja California (Mexico); Mexico; Central America; Panama Canal; Gulf of Mexico; Cuba; Hispañola; POR.; Jamaica
:Do we have to label all the Virgin Islands?

:[South America.] Rest of South America (spanish-speaking); Brazil (portugese-speaking); French, and I think Dutch and English; Tierra del Fuego

:[Greenland.] Greenland (still too big!); Yeah but the Peters map is awful; Iceland

:[Europe.] British Isles; Ireland; Gibralter; Scandanavia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; Black sea; Middle East

:[Africa.] Morocco; Algera; Sahara Desert; West Africa; Sudan; Rainforest DRC; Lake Victoria; Somalia; Angola; Mozambique; South Africa; Cape Horn; Madagascar

:[West of DRC.] So this is one of those things where you point out our ignorance and stereotypes?
:Yeah – I mean, I freely admit I don't know the African map very well, which speaks volumes in itself.

:[West Asia.] Russia; Aral sea (Gone); Various former Soviet states; Afghanistan & Pakistan; India; Mostly Muslim; Mostly Hindu

:[Indian Ocea.] Sri Lanka; Boxing Day Quake
:Wait, "Boxing day"? There's no way you're American.
:I read BBC News, OK?

:[East Asia.] Mongolia; Tibet (contested); China; Southeast Asia

:[Pacific Ocean.] Kamchatka Pennisula, but I admit I only know this one from Risk.
:Koreas; Japan, duh.; Taiwan (actually called "The Republic of China." – it's complicated.); Phillipines; Malaysia; Indonesia; Sulawesi; Paupa New Guinea; Australia; Tasmania; New Zealand

:[South of Africa.] Should we include Antarctica?
:Let's not – these guys are looking impatient.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Geography]]

843: Misconceptions

2016-04-08T21:01:38Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Deleting one of the two explanations for title text

{{comic
| number = 843
| date = January 5, 2011
| title = Misconceptions
| image = misconceptions.png
| titletext = "Grandpa, what was it like in the Before time?" "It was hell. People went around saying glass was a slow-flowing liquid. You folks these days don't know how good you have it."
}}

==Explanation==
The Wikipedia article {{w|List of common misconceptions}} gives a list of commonly-repeated anecdotes that are widely believed to be true, but actually are not.

A [http://xkcd.com/843/info.0.json teacher], looking like [[Miss Lenhart]], is announcing that since it is the first Tuesday in February, by law and custom the reading of this article is requirement to stem the repetition of these incorrect anecdotes. (Funnily enough the comic was released the first Wednesday in January, which could just as well have been written in the comic).

She continues to make it clear that this is to make the students in general a little less wrong, and the main outcome will be that the guest of any future parties the students ever attend, will not have to listen to them retell these misconceptions and for that these guest will thank those who have decided on this new law in advance.

In the caption below the comic [[Randall]] expresses his wishes that he lived in a {{w|Many-worlds interpretation|parallel universe}} where this rule had been used for many years. So he would not have to listen to all these stories at every party he went to. Since Randall like to correct people if they are wrong (see [[386: Duty Calls]]), not having to discuss with those that believe these misconceptions, would make his parties much better.

The title text refers to a specific one of these {{w|List_of_common_misconceptions#Materials_science|false stories about glass}}:
:''That {{w|glass}}, while seeming solid, is actually an extremely viscous liquid and will flow over time, as is seen on older buildings where the window panes are thicker at the bottom.''
In reality, older manufacturing processes did not produce glass panes with as uniform thickness as modern processes, and people tended to install the uneven panes with the thicker side at the bottom for stability. Glass simply does not flow at room temperature; it's more viscous than solid lead by a factor of over a ''billion''. The fact that glass is solid at room temperature was again referenced in a foot note, under the pipe with glass, in [[1649: Pipelines]].

==Transcript==
:[A teacher, could be Miss Lenhart, is standing in front of a board, looking at a laptop computer she is holding in one hand while elocuting.]
:Miss Lenhart: Okay, middle school students, it's the first Tuesday in February.
:Miss Lenhart: This means that by law and custom, we must spend the morning reading through the Wikipedia article ''List of Common Misconceptions'', so you can spend the rest of your lives being a little less wrong.
:Miss Lenhart: The guests at every party you'll ever attend thank us in advance.

:[Caption below the panel:]
:I wish I lived in this universe.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Miss Lenhart]]
[[Category:Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Physics]]

841: Audiophiles

2016-04-08T20:56:18Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ correct link

{{comic
| number = 841
| date = December 31, 2010
| title = Audiophiles
| image = audiophiles.png
| titletext = For years, I took the wrong lesson from that Monster Cable experiment and only listened to my music through alligator-clipped coat hangers.
}}

==Explanation==
[[Cueball]] is buying some new speakers for his television, and asks [[Megan]] if they have the right cord to hook them up. Megan begins chiding him for using "crappy little laptop speakers", i.e. low-powered, low-quality speakers that don't faithfully reproduce the sound.

Cueball and Megan reproduce the two extremes of the Audiophile arguments: Cueball simply wants something that works, regardless of the quality, whereas Megan wants to use speakers and sound to create beauty. Cueball seems to think that's unnecessary, and Megan snipes back that he's never heard beauty, so he wouldn't know; after all, he thinks low-bit-rate re-encodings from YouTube (at the time, notorious for dodgy sound quality) are perfectly fine music. Cueball, frustrated with Megan's perfectionism, states that he's just going to buy cheap, 5-watt speakers. While 5 watts may be a lot if you're, say, trying to fill the immediate area with sound from your MP3 player, it'd sound tinny and hollow, lacking any ommph, coming out of a television across the room.

Cueball, annoyed, tells a {{w|snowclone}} joke, the content of which implies that the content doesn't matter to her, only the quality in which it's delivered to her ear.

The title text is referring to a [http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/speakers-when-is-good-enough-enough.2512/page-2 forum post from audioholics.com,] where a user did a blind audio test using monster cable and coat hangers with soldered on alligator clips, and the audiophiles were unable to discern any difference. Randall, getting the wrong idea from it, instead just uses coat-hanger to connect his speakers, not getting that that wasn't the point.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball and Megan are talking over the telephone. The first two panels are split diagonally. Cueball is at a store, holding a box, and Megan is consulting with him.]
:Cueball: Do we have an RCA-to-3.5mm female-female plug? I'm getting some speakers for the new Xbox, since the monitor doesn't have any.
:Megan: Are they crappy laptop speakers? ''Ugh.''

:[Cueball is standing next to a sale rack.]
:Cueball: Does it matter? I just want to hear if I'm getting shot at, not savor every detail of a beautiful musical soundscape.
:Megan: You've never ''heard'' a beautiful musical soundscape. You listen to 96kbps flv rips from YouTube.

:[Megan is walking.]
:Cueball: Whatever. I'm just going to get these $20 speakers. Five watts will be plenty.
:Megan: Five watts for a living room sound system? Is that a joke?

:Cueball: No, this is a joke: How many audiophiles does it take to change a lightbulb?
:Megan: How many?
:Cueball: I'll tell you later—you wouldn't appreciate the punchline over this 12kbps cell phone codec.
:''click''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Video games]]

679: Christmas Plans

2016-04-08T20:13:44Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Translating from German to English

{{comic
| number = 679
| date = December 23, 2009
| title = Christmas Plans
| image = christmas_plans.png
| titletext = Physicists who want to protect traditional Christmas realize that the only way to keep from changing Christmas is not to observe it.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic centers around a joke about {{w|Quantum Entanglement}} in physics - if you don't observe something, it has all possible states, not a specific one. It is a double-entendre with the word ''observe'' meaning both "look at" (physics sense) and "celebrate" (a holiday). One of the most famous examples on this is the {{w|Schrödinger's cat}} paradox.

The title text refers to another principle in physics where the act of measuring something must also change it in some way. If one drops a thermometer into into a mug of water, energy spent (or released) when heating (or cooling) the mercury in the thermometer changes the temperature of the water in the mug by a small amount. The only way not to interfere with the temperature of the water in the mug is not to measure it.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball is standing behind a friend, who is sitting at a computer.]
:Cueball: Hey, will you be in town the day after Christmas?
:Friend: Couldn't say—
:Friend: I'm Jewish.

:Cueball: But... how does being Jewish keep you from knowing your plans?
:Friend: I know my plans—
:Friend: I just don't know when Christmas is.

:Cueball: Really? Why not look it up?
:Friend: Well, I'm also a physicist.

:Cueball: So?
:Friend: I believe that since I don't observe Christmas, it can't ''have'' a definite date.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Christmas]]

665: Prudence

2016-04-08T20:02:29Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Wiki link

{{comic
| number = 665
| date = November 20, 2009
| title = Prudence
| image = prudence.png
| titletext = Moments later, the White Witch rolls up and, confused, tries to tempt the probe with a firmware upgrade.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic references the fantasy novel series "{{w|The Chronicles of Narnia}}" by {{w|C. S. Lewis}}. In the first book (and the first movie), four children discover the fictional world of Narnia which can be accessed through a wardrobe.

The comic mocks at the imprudent behaviour shown by the protagonists of the novel, who enter the world of Narnia without knowing anything about its dangers. In the comic, Megan discovers the magical wardrobe while playing {{w|hide-and-seek}}. Unlike the original characters, Megan does not precipitately set foot into Narnia. Instead, she fetches her technical equipment and sends a remote-controlled probe through the wardrobe door in order to sound the situation first. The probe can be seen in the sixth and eighth panel, encountering {{w|Mr. Tumnus}} the faun with an umbrella at a lamppost in a snowy wood on the last panel. This picture is the first impression of Narnia in the novels and was apparently Lewis' original idea for the series.

The {{w|White Witch}} mentioned in the title text is the main antagonist in the novel. She originally lures one of the protagonists with a hot drink and {{w|Turkish delight}}. In the scenario displayed in the comic, she tries to tempt the probe with a firmware update accordingly.

Megan takes a scientific approach to Narnia again in [[821: Five-Minute Comics: Part 3|a later comic]].

==Transcript==
:[Megan is running towards a closed wardrobe.]
:Someone off-panel: Everyone hide! 99... 98... 97...

:[Megan opens the wardrobe.]
:Wardrobe: click

:Megan, looking inside: !!!

:[Megan looks thoughtful.]

:[Megan walks away.]

:[Megan returns with an armful of electronics.]

:[Megan is kneeling, typing on a laptop, which has a cord extending into the wardrobe.]

:[A robotic probe is approaching Mr. Tumnus, the faun, under the lamppost in narnia.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan‏‎]]

1238: Enlightenment

2016-04-08T13:15:17Z

Demro: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1238
| date = July 15, 2013
| title = Enlightenment
| image = enlightenment.png
| titletext = But the rules of writing are like magic spells. If you never acquire them, then not using them says nothing.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic is a reference to a scene one might imagine in {{w|Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace}} in which {{w|Yoda}} expresses doubt in a young {{w|Anakin Skywalker|Anakin}}'s potential to join the {{w|Jedi}} order. Yoda delivers a speech similar to the one that [[Ponytail]] gives here, except that the end of the sequence he presents is "{{w|Dark side (Star Wars)|the dark side}}" instead of "being an asshole". Yoda is ultimately correct; Anakin's fears lead him to join the dark side so that he may keep his loved ones from dying; this is at the expense of the stability of the galaxy, however, and his actions are in vain, as {{w|Padmé Amidala|his wife}} dies nonetheless. The circle on the ground is also taken from the ''Star Wars'' scene, and [[Cueball]] is presumably in the {{w|Mace Windu}} role.

Here, [[Randall]] compares Anakin's decision to join the dark side to the propensity of many Internet commenters to correct others on their spelling and grammar, and to the extreme prevalence of criticism over commendation or confirmation. Randall's point is that correcting people, like joining the dark side, ultimately stems from insecurity.

Ponytail and Cueball challenge [[Megan]] to type the sentence "I heard you're idea's and their definately good", which contains four {{w|Commonly misspelled words|common misspellings}} (''{{w|wikt:you're|you''''re'''}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:your|you'''r'''}}'', ''{{w|possessive|idea'''''''s}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:ideas|ideas}}'' [see {{w|greengrocers' apostrophe}}], ''{{w|wikt:their|the'''ir'''}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:they're|the'''y're'''}}'', and ''{{w|wikt:definately|defin'''a'''tely}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:definitely|defin'''i'''tely}}'') and a grammatical error ({{w|run-on sentence|a missing comma}} before the word "and").
Regarding the content, this sentence is one that is highly unlikely to be ever read in an internet argument, as almost every time people still have things they claim to know better about.
Megan thus can't bring herself to typing this sentence, having spent so much time judging others for their trivial errors, even when they're saying helpful things like the sentence in question. Instead, it is strongly implied that she smashes the computer and runs away — demonstrating the sort of anger that [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Grammar%20Nazi "Grammar Nazis"] and internet wiseacres like her can feel about punctuation and spelling errors, and about content-related errors respectively. Cueball and Ponytail remark on this, both failing to use {{w|apostrophe}}s.

The title text refers to {{w|Terry Pratchett}}'s novel {{w|Equal Rites}}, in which the characters discover that the most powerful magic is not using magic — with the distinction that not using magic because you don't know how is not the same as choosing to refrain from using magic when you do know how. Randall is comparing this with use or misuse of the rules of Standard English: not even knowing the rules is not admirable, whereas knowing the rules but choosing to disregard them is. There is also a double meaning - not writing anything at all is in fact "saying nothing".

==Transcript==
:[The two Internet Bodhisattvas Ponytail and Cueball lecture Megan encircled by a wheel placed upon the ground.]
:Ponytail: To achieve '''internet enlightenment''', you must free yourself from insecurity.
:Megan: But insecurity keeps me humble!
:Ponytail: No. Insecurity leads to conceit. Conceit leads to judgment. Judgment leads to being an asshole.
:[A laptop is placed on a stand in front of Megan.]
:Megan: I'm ready. How do I begin?
:Ponytail: Type this sentence.
:[White text on black background.]
:I heard you're idea's and their definately good.
:[The laptop has been smashed to the floor. The circle, once full of hope and excitement, is now full of despair and no Megan.]
:Ponytail: She wasnt ready.
:Cueball: Its a difficult road.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]

1238: Enlightenment

2016-04-08T13:14:15Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Specifically has a very specific meaning.

{{comic
| number = 1238
| date = July 15, 2013
| title = Enlightenment
| image = enlightenment.png
| titletext = But the rules of writing are like magic spells. If you never acquire them, then not using them says nothing.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic is a reference to a scene one might imagine in {{w|Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace}} in which {{w|Yoda}} expresses doubt in a young {{w|Anakin Skywalker|Anakin}}'s potential to join the {{w|Jedi}} order. Yoda delivers a speech similar to the one that [[Ponytail]] gives here, except that the end of the sequence he presents is "{{w|Dark side (Star Wars)|the dark side}}" instead of "being an asshole". Yoda is ultimately correct; Anakin's fears lead him to join the dark side so that he may keep his loved ones from dying; this is at the expense of the stability of the galaxy, however, and his actions are in vain, as {{w|Padmé Amidala|his wife}} dies nonetheless. The circle on the ground is also taken from the ''Star Wars'' scene, and [[Cueball]] is presumably in the {{w|Mace Windu}} role.

Here, [[Randall]] compares Anakin's decision to join the dark side to the propensity of many Internet commenters to correct others on their spelling and grammar, and to the extreme prevalence of criticism over commendation or confirmation. Randall's point is that correcting people, like joining the dark side, ultimately stems from insecurity.

Ponytail and Cueball challenge [[Megan]] to type the sentence "I heard you're idea's and their definately good", which contains four {{w|Commonly misspelled words|common misspellings}} (''{{w|wikt:you're|you''''re'''}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:your|you'''r'''}}'', ''{{w|possessive|idea'''''''s}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:ideas|ideas}}'' [see {{w|greengrocers' apostrophe}}], ''{{w|wikt:their|the'''ir'''}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:they're|the'''y're'''}}'', and ''{{w|wikt:definately|defin'''a'''tely}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:definitely|defin'''i'''tely}}'') and a grammatical error ({{w|run-on sentence|a missing comma}} before the word "and").
Regarding the content, this sentence is one that is highly unlikely to be ever read in an internet argument, as almost every time people still have things they claim to know better about.
Megan thus can't bring herself to typing this sentence, having spent so much time judging others for their trivial errors, even when they're saying helpful things like the sentence in question. Instead, it is strongly implied that she smashes the computer and runs away — demonstrating the sort of anger that [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Grammar%20Nazi "Grammar Nazis"] and internet wiseacres like her can feel about punctuation and spelling errors, and about content-related errors respectively. Cueball and Ponytail remark on this, both failing to use {{w|apostrophe}}s.

The title text probably refers to {{w|Terry Pratchett}}'s novel {{w|Equal Rites}}, in which the characters discover that the most powerful magic is not using magic — with the distinction that not using magic because you don't know how is not the same as choosing to refrain from using magic when you do know how. Randall is comparing this with use or misuse of the rules of Standard English: not even knowing the rules is not admirable, whereas knowing the rules but choosing to disregard them is. There is also a double meaning - not writing anything at all is in fact "saying nothing".

==Transcript==
:[The two Internet Bodhisattvas Ponytail and Cueball lecture Megan encircled by a wheel placed upon the ground.]
:Ponytail: To achieve '''internet enlightenment''', you must free yourself from insecurity.
:Megan: But insecurity keeps me humble!
:Ponytail: No. Insecurity leads to conceit. Conceit leads to judgment. Judgment leads to being an asshole.
:[A laptop is placed on a stand in front of Megan.]
:Megan: I'm ready. How do I begin?
:Ponytail: Type this sentence.
:[White text on black background.]
:I heard you're idea's and their definately good.
:[The laptop has been smashed to the floor. The circle, once full of hope and excitement, is now full of despair and no Megan.]
:Ponytail: She wasnt ready.
:Cueball: Its a difficult road.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]

1238: Enlightenment

2016-04-07T17:07:42Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Deleting hypothetical sentence that's actually true

{{comic
| number = 1238
| date = July 15, 2013
| title = Enlightenment
| image = enlightenment.png
| titletext = But the rules of writing are like magic spells. If you never acquire them, then not using them says nothing.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic is a reference to a scene one might imagine in {{w|Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace}} in which {{w|Yoda}} expresses doubt in a young {{w|Anakin Skywalker|Anakin}}'s potential to join the {{w|Jedi}} order. Yoda delivers a speech similar to the one that [[Ponytail]] gives here, except that the end of the sequence he presents is "{{w|Dark side (Star Wars)|the dark side}}" instead of "being an asshole". Yoda is ultimately correct; Anakin's fears lead him to join the dark side so that he may keep his loved ones from dying; this is at the expense of the stability of the galaxy, however, and his actions are in vain, as {{w|Padmé Amidala|his wife}} dies nonetheless. The circle on the ground is also taken from the ''Star Wars'' scene, and [[Cueball]] is presumably in the {{w|Mace Windu}} role.

Here, [[Randall]] compares Anakin's decision to join the dark side to the propensity of many Internet commenters to correct others on their spelling and grammar, and to the extreme prevalence of criticism over commendation or confirmation. Randall's point is that correcting people, like joining the dark side, ultimately stems from insecurity.

Ponytail and Cueball challenge [[Megan]] to type the sentence "I heard you're idea's and their definately good", which contains four {{w|Commonly misspelled words|common misspellings}} (''{{w|wikt:you're|you''''re'''}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:your|you'''r'''}}'', ''{{w|possessive|idea'''''''s}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:ideas|ideas}}'' [see {{w|greengrocers' apostrophe}}], ''{{w|wikt:their|the'''ir'''}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:they're|the'''y're'''}}'', and ''{{w|wikt:definately|defin'''a'''tely}}'' instead of ''{{w|wikt:definitely|defin'''i'''tely}}'') and a grammatical error ({{w|run-on sentence|a missing comma}} before the word "and").
Regarding the content, this sentence is one that is highly unlikely to be ever read in an internet argument, as almost every time people still have things they claim to know better about.
Megan thus can't bring herself to typing this sentence, having spent so much time judging others for their trivial errors, even when they're saying helpful things like the sentence in question. Instead, it is strongly implied that she smashes the computer and runs away — demonstrating the sort of anger that [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Grammar%20Nazi "Grammar Nazis"] and internet wiseacres like her can feel about punctuation and spelling errors, and about content-related errors respectively. Cueball and Ponytail remark on this, both failing to use {{w|apostrophe}}s.

The title text specifically refers to {{w|Terry Pratchett}}'s novel {{w|Equal Rites}}, in which the characters discover that the most powerful magic is not using magic — with the distinction that not using magic because you don't know how is not the same as choosing to refrain from using magic when you do know how. Randall is comparing this with use or misuse of the rules of Standard English: not even knowing the rules is not admirable, whereas knowing the rules but choosing to disregard them is. There is also a double meaning - not writing anything at all is in fact "saying nothing".

==Transcript==
:[The two Internet Bodhisattvas Ponytail and Cueball lecture Megan encircled by a wheel placed upon the ground.]
:Ponytail: To achieve '''internet enlightenment''', you must free yourself from insecurity.
:Megan: But insecurity keeps me humble!
:Ponytail: No. Insecurity leads to conceit. Conceit leads to judgment. Judgment leads to being an asshole.
:[A laptop is placed on a stand in front of Megan.]
:Megan: I'm ready. How do I begin?
:Ponytail: Type this sentence.
:[White text on black background.]
:I heard you're idea's and their definately good.
:[The laptop has been smashed to the floor. The circle, once full of hope and excitement, is now full of despair and no Megan.]
:Ponytail: She wasnt ready.
:Cueball: Its a difficult road.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]

Talk:1238: Enlightenment

2016-04-07T17:04:28Z

Demro: Format

I can't help but feel he toadaly missed out on "herd"!
Should this make me feel icky? Please help!
Monteletourneau [[User:Monteletourneau|Monteletourneau]] ([[User talk:Monteletourneau|talk]]) 05:13, 1 August 2013 (UTC)

Did anyone else notice the (most likely intentional) typos in that sentence they told her to type? "... and THEIR DEFINATELY good" (they're definitely) {{unsigned ip|‎115.30.33.36}}
:http://imgur.com/3Gpey 13:21, 6 April 2016 (UTC)~

Didn't you notice "you're" and "idea's" as well. I would assume it is highly improbable that these were not intentional. [[Special:Contributions/74.125.16.2|74.125.16.2]] 04:51, 15 July 2013 (UTC)GusGold

Of course those were intentional. That was the joke. The exercise for INTERNET enlightenment and getting rid of insecurities is to make typos and grammatical errors freely. You may also notice them saying on the last panel "wasnt" and "its", instead of "wasn't" and "it's".
Megan just wasn't able to do this task of making intentional mistakes, which would result in people online thinking she's dumb (insecurities), so she broke the laptop and left. [[Special:Contributions/95.35.58.179|95.35.58.179]] 05:20, 15 July 2013 (UTC)
:Why do we think she broke the laptop and left? What's the circle on the ground for? (Looks like a StarTrek Transporter pad. And the pedestal just appeared as needed, must be virtual. Rather, I think she got UN-enlightened and zapped away into nothing-ness. [[Special:Contributions/12.234.99.131|12.234.99.131]] 16:41, 16 July 2013 (UTC) Zake

There's a huge difference between accepting others' misspellings and repeating them yourself...not commenting on someone typing "definately" is completely different than being told to spell it that way yourself. [[User:Wotpsycho|Wotpsycho]] ([[User talk:Wotpsycho|talk]])

I read you're explanation's and their definately helpful! --[[Special:Contributions/129.187.90.96|129.187.90.96]] 09:07, 15 July 2013 (UTC)

Having your ideas "approved" by someone who can't even spell might feel much worse than having them simply shot down.{{unsigned ip|89.31.118.161}}

Does anyone else think Ponytail appears to be levitating? --[[User:DanB|DanB]] ([[User talk:DanB|talk]]) 16:07, 15 July 2013 (UTC)

Someone deleted my edit, so I'm bringing it up here on the discussion page. The sentence contains more than just common misspellings; it also contains a common grammatical error. "I read your ideas and they're definitely good" is a run-on sentence. Joining two independent clauses requires BOTH a comma and a coordinating conjunction ("I read your ideas, and they're definitely good"). The sentence omits the comma. While certain style guides allow the comma to be left out when the two clauses are short enough, Megan's obstinate grammar-nazism is the entire point of the comic. It is unlikely she would let it slide. [[Special:Contributions/193.67.17.36|193.67.17.36]] 16:49, 15 July 2013 (UTC)
:"they're" refers to "ideas", the sentences are not independent.--[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 17:59, 15 July 2013 (UTC)
::That's not what an independent clause means. Can they be separated into two sentences? "I read your ideas. They're definitely good." Yes - it still makes sense as two sentences, thus the two clauses are independent. (An example of a dependent clause would be "I read your ideas while I was driving home." "While I was driving home" cannot stand on its own as a sentence, so it is not an independent clause.)[[Special:Contributions/193.67.17.36|193.67.17.36]] 18:17, 15 July 2013 (UTC)
:::I'm not a native English speaker, and I have learned only British English at school. But your statement makes sense. My first sentence is correct?--[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 18:59, 15 July 2013 (UTC)
::::Yep, your first sentence is fine. I'm going to add the note about run-on sentences back into the Explanation; I hope nobody has any more objections. [[Special:Contributions/193.67.17.36|193.67.17.36]] 19:35, 15 July 2013 (UTC)
:::"...''whilst'' I was driving home"? ;) (And bear in mind as well that "while" can more commonly mean "until", instead of "during", in certain English-speaking dialects. Ok, I'm being picky, now.) [[Special:Contributions/178.98.50.23|178.98.50.23]] 05:40, 16 July 2013 (UTC)
::::Gr8 example of Internet forum tangental one-upmanship! [[Special:Contributions/12.234.99.131|12.234.99.131]] 16:41, 16 July 2013 (UTC) Zake
:This explanation makes a lot of sense. It helped me to stop being angry at the sentence they wanted her to type, and to pay attention to the bigger picture, especially when combined with the alt-text. Randall, I heard you're idea's and their definately good. (Also, I'm assuming that Internet Enlightenment allows me to be disgusted with myself for writing that, as long as I was willing to do so.) [[Special:Contributions/68.231.138.149|68.231.138.149]] 04:49, 16 July 2013 (UTC)
::It is perfectly correct to join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction and no comma. In fact it is often considered bad style (if not actually incorrect) to include both a comma and a conjunction when joining only two clauses.[[Special:Contributions/129.22.117.158|129.22.117.158]] 17:50, 16 July 2013 (UTC)
:::I'm not native English, as I explained before, but please give some more background information and not only a statement of your mind. And consider: This is American English, there are some odd commas. I'm still not sure what's correct.--[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 19:24, 16 July 2013 (UTC)
::::I'm not native either. What I've found on several sites [http://pages.uoregon.edu/munno/Writing/ClausesandCommas.html], [http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/comma?09] is ''two independent clauses connected by "and" or "but" are separated by a comma''—basically, because you would make a little pause at that point when used in speech. Contradicting this on {{w|simple:Run-on sentence}} I currently see ''"I looked over the hill and I saw the bear." is a complete sentence.'' (not two independent clauses—although grammatically possible), so simple-wikipedia could be wrong, or there is some tolerance, when two clauses are actually connected. In the end, I'd say this comma is not really worth that discussion, and I would suggest making some kind of neutral statement, e.g. ''and there might be a {{w|Run-on sentence|comma}} missing''. --[[User:Chtz|Chtz]] ([[User talk:Chtz|talk]]) 22:52, 16 July 2013 (UTC)
:::It is not perfectly correct to omit the comma. Chtz cited two sources above, here are a few more: [http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm], [http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm], [http://www.getitwriteonline.com/archive/020204WhenCommaBfAnd.htm]. There is a little leeway for stylistic reasons, but as I mentioned above, the entire point of the comic is that Megan does not give leeway when it comes to grammar nazism. The corrected sentence in the explanation should be actually correct, not mostly-correct-but-given-a-little-stylistic-leeway.[[Special:Contributions/193.67.17.36|193.67.17.36]] 18:37, 17 July 2013 (UTC)
::::I (poster from 129.22.117.158 above) have looked into things more and stand corrected. I heard all you're ideas, and their definately good.[[Special:Contributions/209.152.196.210|209.152.196.210]] 13:04, 19 July 2013 (UTC)

I wonder if there's an additional level of meaning here. To me, the most striking thing about the sentence Megan won't type is not the bad spelling, but the fact that it involves agreeing with someone. On the Internet, people are always arguing with other (as in, for example, http://xkcd.com/386/). Maybe what Megan had to do to become "enlightened" was not just to ignore the rules of spelling, but actually to agree with someone for a change?{{unsigned ip|134.226.254.178}}
:Well, that's why I wrote the third paragraph, about how important agreement can be. Do you have any suggestions as to how we could emphasize this point more? [[User:PinkAmpersand|PinkAmpersand]] ([[User talk:PinkAmpersand|talk]]) 22:03, 16 July 2013 (UTC)

Be associated with bad grammar, Yoda would not. [[User:Alcatraz ii|Alcatraz ii]] ([[User talk:Alcatraz ii|talk]]) 08:22, 17 July 2013 (UTC)
;Incomplete or not?
I did add the tag again because there are too many edits at this page and also the discussion is still not clear. I would like to see the grammar issue solved by more explain, even when it's not easy.--[[User:Dgbrt|Dgbrt]] ([[User talk:Dgbrt|talk]]) 22:16, 16 July 2013 (UTC)

I'm not sure if it's worth mentioning any more comparisons, but I'd put it don't here at least: It reminds me of Schindler's List when Schindler tries to convince Amon Goeth, a commander of a Nazi concentration camp, that true power is when you have the power (and justification) to kill someone, but you spare them. This is an attempt to change the behaviour of Amon, who has a habit of killing random camp internees (and _believes_ he has the right to do so).{{unsigned ip|Svend}}
:Hey, you compared something to the Nazis! I invoke Godwin's Law! http://xkcd.com/261/{{unsigned ip|134.226.254.178}}

Note I have removed a misguided rant from Dgbrt regarding Svend's thoughtful post. [[Special:Contributions/199.27.128.88|199.27.128.88]] 09:06, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

This xkcd is all about how hard it is not to be a grammar nazi. --[[Special:Contributions/84.60.134.161|84.60.134.161]] 02:12, 24 July 2013 (UTC)

:Ah! So sweet and succinct! That line should be in the explanation. Perhaps with the words "for some people" added, but yeah. [[Special:Contributions/108.162.225.134|108.162.225.134]] 05:29, 25 April 2015 (UTC)

575: Tag Combination

2016-04-07T16:56:09Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ For other random connections see 305: Rule 34.

{{comic
| number = 575
| date = April 29, 2009
| title = Tag Combination
| image = tag combination.png
| titletext = I love Eileen / and want you to love her / When you're around / I'm one floor above her / If you could see / just how much I adore her / Oh, that pretty red dress / I'd do anything for her / (Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)
}}

==Explanation==

Song tags are a form of file {{w|metadata}} used to categorize music. Tags will typically describe the content and genre of the song, and many music organization programs and services will allow users to find all songs that contain a particular tag; so when a user searches for "Country breakup music," they will receive a list of {{w|Country music|country}} songs about breaking up.

In this comic, [[Cueball]] tests [[Megan]]'s claim that she can make a song name for any set of tags by coming up with a collection of mostly unrelated words: "{{w|lesbian}} {{w|voyeurism}} {{w|one-hit wonder}} {{w|Mashup (music)|mash-up|}}." A {{w|lesbian}} is a woman who is only sexually interested in other women. {{w|Voyeurism}} is the act of watching someone else do something sexual, generally without their knowledge. A {{w|one-hit wonder}} is a band that had "one big hit" before fading from the public eye forever. A {{w|Mashup (music)|mash-up}} is when someone takes two previously unrelated songs and makes a third song that's a mix of both of them (a recent example of which would be [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82LCKBdjywQ this Gangam Style/Ghostbusters theme mashup]). In response, Megan immediately replies with one song title that looks like it would fit the tags well. When Cueball asks for a second example, Megan gives him a new example for the same set of tags, which is really impressing.

Megan's first title, "I Wish That Stacy's Mom Had Jessie's Girl" is a ''mash-up'' of {{w|Jessie's Girl|"Jessie's Girl"}} by {{w|Rick Springfield}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYkbTyHXwbs video] on youtube) , and {{w|Stacy's Mom|"Stacy's Mom"}} by {{w|Fountains of Wayne}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZLfasMPOU4 video] on youtube), the latter was a ''one-hit-wonders'', whereas Springfield has had several other hits. (The song Stacy's Mom was referenced in comic [[61: Stacey's Dad]]).

The second title, "When You Come on Eileen I Touch Myself" is a ''mash-up'' of {{w|Come On Eileen|"Come on Eileen"}} by {{w|Dexys Midnight Runners}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVxcwe7EcaY video] on youtube), and {{w|I Touch Myself|"I Touch Myself"}} by {{w|Divinyls}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv-34w8kGPM video] on youtube). Both of these are one-hit wonders (and can both be found on [http://afrokayo.web.fc2.com/mdata_vh1_greatest_onehit_wonders.html this list] of such songs). Note that "Come on, Eileen" means "Hurry up, Eileen", and that "to come on someone" means to ejaculate on someone. Since the song is about lesbian sex, come on someone must mean have an orgasm while being on someone.

For other random connections see [[305: Rule 34]].

===Tags===
*Lesbian: Here "had" means "had sex with". The two women having sex are Stacy's mom and Jessie's Girl
*Voyeurism:
**Someone wishes the two women had each other (so they could be looked upon)
**"When You Come on Eileen I Touch Myself", i.e. the voyeur looks at someone who actually comes (has orgasm) on Eileen while they are having sex.
*One-hit wonder: "{{w|Stacy's Mom}}" by Fountains of Wayne, "{{w|Come On Eileen}}" by Dexys Midnight Runners and "{{w|I Touch Myself}}" by Divinyls.
*Mash-up: Both verses are mash-ups of two other song titles.

===Title text===
The title text is a set of potential lyrics to Megan's second title. [[Randall]] borrowed the rhyme scheme, phrasing, and subject matter from the first eight {{w|stanzas}} of "I Touch Myself" with additional subject matter inspired by "Come on Eileen." The final stanza is the chorus lead-in from the latter.

The subject is now changed so instead of a guy being smitten with a girl, so much he touches himself when he thinks about it, it has now changed to a lesbian woman is in the apartment above when he or she loves Eileen (which she wants them to do) and she probably touches herself when this happens as per the title of this mash-up.

Here are the lyrics for [http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-touch-myself-lyrics-the-divinyls.html I Touch Myself] and [http://www.metrolyrics.com/come-on-eileen-lyrics-dexys-midnight-runners.html Come on Eileen]. Below in the table the mashed up lines are shown. As can be seen most of the text is from "I Touch Myself":

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Mashed up line
! Line from "I Touch Myself"
! Line from "Come On Eileen"
|-
| I love Eileen
| '''I love''' myself (1st line).
| Come on '''Eileen''' (1st line).
|-
| and want you to love her
| I '''want you to love''' me (2nd part of 1st line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| When you're around
| '''When you're around''' (11th line).
| No line.
|-
| I'm one floor above her
| '''I''' want you '''above''' me (2nd line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| If you could see
| A fool '''could see''' (15th line).
| No line.
|-
| just how much I adore her
| '''just how much I adore''' you (2nd part of previous line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| Oh, that pretty red dress
| There are many '''Oh''' in this song, but also in the other.
| '''That pretty red dress''' (30th line).
|-
| I'd do anything for her
| '''I'd do anything for''' you (16th line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| (Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)
| No line.
| '''(Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)''' (11th line).
|}

==Transcript==
:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: So you can come up with a song title fitting any tag combination?
:Megan: Try me.

:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: Lesbian voyeurism one-hit wonder mash-up.
:Megan: "I wish that Stacey's Mom had Jessie's Girl."

:[Cueball and Megan are just standing there for a beat panel.]

:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: Well, that was one, but-
:Megan: "When you Come On Eileen I touch myself."
:Cueball: Okay, wow.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]

1550: Episode VII

2016-04-07T16:52:46Z

Demro: /* The Force Awakens */ past tense

{{comic
| number = 1550
| date = July 13, 2015
| title = Episode VII
| image = episode_vii.png
| titletext = The Lord of the Rings sequel, set years after the Ring hubbub has died down, is just Samwise discreetly creeping back to Bag End to finish dropping the eaves.
}}

==Explanation==
Sequels are often made to resolve pressing issues that are left unresolved in the original works. This comic was a humorous take on how the then-upcoming sequel in the {{w|Star Wars franchise}} might have resolved issues from a previous film in that series.

===Star Wars background===
In the first-produced movie of the series, ''{{w|Star Wars (film)|Star Wars:Episode IV: A New Hope}}'', {{w|Luke Skywalker}}'s uncle tells him to clean two newly purchased droids ({{w|R2-D2}} and {{w|C-3PO}}). Luke complains that he had plans to pick up some power converters at Tosche Station. Luke is told to clean the droids first; however, while doing so, he discovers a message carried by R2-D2, starting him on a course of events that runs through the original trilogy. As a result, he never ultimately goes to Tosche Station.

The conversation between Luke and his uncle, {{w|Owen Lars}}, is as follows:
:'''Uncle Owen:''' Luke! Take these two over to the garage will ya? I want ’em cleaned up before dinner.
:'''Luke:''' But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!
:'''Uncle Owen:''' You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done. Now, come on. Get to it.

Luke's line is one of many well-known lines from the series and is often-quoted as an example of how Luke is initially portrayed as a whiny teenager. By the end of the {{W|Return of the Jedi|''Episode VI:Return of the Jedi''}}, Luke has grown into a mature and powerful Jedi, completing his transformation through the original trilogy.

====The Force Awakens====
''{{w|Star Wars: The Force Awakens|Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens}}'' was, at the time of the comic's release, the upcoming seventh feature-length live-action film in the ''Star Wars'' series, and was the first since the rights to the franchise were sold by creator George Lucas to the Disney Company. It is a sequel to the original trilogy.

Since creating the original trilogy, many of Lucas's decisions in respect of the franchise have been subject to fan criticism, including criticism of the quality of three prequel films Lucas produced beginning in 1999 (after a more than 15-year hiatus). The new seventh film was entrusted by Disney to producer/director J.J. Abrams, who in 2009 produced and directed the highly acclaimed (although still highly criticized by some fans) ''Star Trek'' reboot.

Given all of this context, the new ''Star Wars'' film was as highly anticipated, or more highly anticipated than the prequel trilogy, and had a strong buzz around it. Much of the early buzz surrounded the nature of the new film's plot: For example, whether it would be a prequel or a sequel, and whether it would feature any of the original cast/characters

{{w|J. J. Abrams}} and others involved in the filming ''{{w|Star Wars: The Force Awakens|Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens}}'' had appeared in a panel at San Diego Comic-Con the weekend prior to the comic's release to unveil details about the film. This is likely the impetus for the timing of this comic.

===The Comic===
This comic portrays Randall's own conception of what the sequel might have been. In his version of the movie, Luke returns home to {{w|Tatooine}} years later with R2-D2 to finish the errand that was interrupted. Luke goes to Tosche Station and says "I'm here for '''those''' power converters", thus completing this unresolved task from the first movie. The action is bookended by the opening and {{w|closing credits}}, suggesting this uneventful scene comprises the entire film.

Therefore, the comic jokingly implies that getting the power converters was the most pressing of all the unresolved issues in the other films, and the most interesting upon which to base the sequel. In reality, this would likely be one of the least entertaining and most disappointing sequels that could possibly be made (perhaps second only to a version that had no reference to the previous films at all). Randall may have also been commenting that there are few if any unresolved issues in the Star Wars franchise that required revisiting and that the series should be left alone.

The title text alludes to another fantasy franchise, ''{{w|Lord of the Rings}}'', and how {{w|Samwise Gamgee}} was similarly interrupted from a menial task of gardening and listening in on conversations outside {{w|Bag End}} by {{w|Gandalf}} and his quest to save the world at the start of the first film. The title text uses the term “dropping eaves” as Samwise did in his denial of eavesdropping in on the conversation between Frodo and Gandalf. In both cases, the issue of collecting power converters and Sam’s gardening duties were left unresolved in their respective stories and the main plot of the series is thoroughly concluded.

==Transcript==
:[Black background with white letters in the style of the Star Wars logo with the subtitle in between the two words.]
:'''Star'''
:The Force Awakens
:'''Wars'''

:[Building in the desert, two persons are seen in the background, and Cueball is running in front of the building. Next to the building is a sign.]
:Sign: Tosche Station

:[A hooded man standing next to R2D2 has entered the building, and is seen in front of the opening portal with the desert in the background.]
:Hooded man: Hello.

:[Closeup of hooded man. The man has a mustache and a beard and thick black hair.]
:Hooded man: I’m here for those power converters.

:[Black background with white letters resembling movie credits.]
:Directed by
:'''J.J. Abrams'''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:LOTR]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

1550: Episode VII

2016-04-07T16:48:39Z

Demro: /* The Comic */ updating

{{comic
| number = 1550
| date = July 13, 2015
| title = Episode VII
| image = episode_vii.png
| titletext = The Lord of the Rings sequel, set years after the Ring hubbub has died down, is just Samwise discreetly creeping back to Bag End to finish dropping the eaves.
}}

==Explanation==
Sequels are often made to resolve pressing issues that are left unresolved in the original works. This comic was a humorous take on how the then-upcoming sequel in the {{w|Star Wars franchise}} might have resolved issues from a previous film in that series.

===Star Wars background===
In the first-produced movie of the series, ''{{w|Star Wars (film)|Star Wars:Episode IV: A New Hope}}'', {{w|Luke Skywalker}}'s uncle tells him to clean two newly purchased droids ({{w|R2-D2}} and {{w|C-3PO}}). Luke complains that he had plans to pick up some power converters at Tosche Station. Luke is told to clean the droids first; however, while doing so, he discovers a message carried by R2-D2, starting him on a course of events that runs through the original trilogy. As a result, he never ultimately goes to Tosche Station.

The conversation between Luke and his uncle, {{w|Owen Lars}}, is as follows:
:'''Uncle Owen:''' Luke! Take these two over to the garage will ya? I want ’em cleaned up before dinner.
:'''Luke:''' But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!
:'''Uncle Owen:''' You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done. Now, come on. Get to it.

Luke's line is one of many well-known lines from the series and is often-quoted as an example of how Luke is initially portrayed as a whiny teenager. By the end of the {{W|Return of the Jedi|''Episode VI:Return of the Jedi''}}, Luke has grown into a mature and powerful Jedi, completing his transformation through the original trilogy.

====The Force Awakens====
''{{w|Star Wars: The Force Awakens|Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens}}'' is (at the time of the comic's release) the upcoming seventh feature-length live-action film in the ''Star Wars'' series, and is the first since the rights to the franchise were sold by creator George Lucas to the Disney Company. It is a sequel to the original trilogy.

Since creating the original trilogy, many of Lucas's decisions in respect of the franchise have been subject to fan criticism, including criticism of the quality of three prequel films Lucas produced beginning in 1999 (after a more than 15-year hiatus). The new seventh film was entrusted by Disney to producer/director J.J. Abrams, who in 2009 produced and directed the highly acclaimed (although still highly criticized by some fans) ''Star Trek'' reboot.

Given all of this context, the new ''Star Wars'' film is as highly anticipated, or more highly anticipated than the prequel trilogy, and has a strong buzz around it. Much of the early buzz surrounded the nature of the new film's plot: For example, whether it would be a prequel or a sequel, and whether it would feature any of the original cast/characters

{{w|J. J. Abrams}} and others involved in the filming ''{{w|Star Wars: The Force Awakens|Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens}}'' had appeared in a panel at San Diego Comic-Con the weekend prior to the comic's release to unveil details about the film. This is likely the impetus for the timing of this comic.

===The Comic===
This comic portrays Randall's own conception of what the sequel might have been. In his version of the movie, Luke returns home to {{w|Tatooine}} years later with R2-D2 to finish the errand that was interrupted. Luke goes to Tosche Station and says "I'm here for '''those''' power converters", thus completing this unresolved task from the first movie. The action is bookended by the opening and {{w|closing credits}}, suggesting this uneventful scene comprises the entire film.

Therefore, the comic jokingly implies that getting the power converters was the most pressing of all the unresolved issues in the other films, and the most interesting upon which to base the sequel. In reality, this would likely be one of the least entertaining and most disappointing sequels that could possibly be made (perhaps second only to a version that had no reference to the previous films at all). Randall may have also been commenting that there are few if any unresolved issues in the Star Wars franchise that required revisiting and that the series should be left alone.

The title text alludes to another fantasy franchise, ''{{w|Lord of the Rings}}'', and how {{w|Samwise Gamgee}} was similarly interrupted from a menial task of gardening and listening in on conversations outside {{w|Bag End}} by {{w|Gandalf}} and his quest to save the world at the start of the first film. The title text uses the term “dropping eaves” as Samwise did in his denial of eavesdropping in on the conversation between Frodo and Gandalf. In both cases, the issue of collecting power converters and Sam’s gardening duties were left unresolved in their respective stories and the main plot of the series is thoroughly concluded.

==Transcript==
:[Black background with white letters in the style of the Star Wars logo with the subtitle in between the two words.]
:'''Star'''
:The Force Awakens
:'''Wars'''

:[Building in the desert, two persons are seen in the background, and Cueball is running in front of the building. Next to the building is a sign.]
:Sign: Tosche Station

:[A hooded man standing next to R2D2 has entered the building, and is seen in front of the opening portal with the desert in the background.]
:Hooded man: Hello.

:[Closeup of hooded man. The man has a mustache and a beard and thick black hair.]
:Hooded man: I’m here for those power converters.

:[Black background with white letters resembling movie credits.]
:Directed by
:'''J.J. Abrams'''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:LOTR]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

1550: Episode VII

2016-04-07T16:46:48Z

Demro: /* Star Wars background */ "run through" not "run though"

{{comic
| number = 1550
| date = July 13, 2015
| title = Episode VII
| image = episode_vii.png
| titletext = The Lord of the Rings sequel, set years after the Ring hubbub has died down, is just Samwise discreetly creeping back to Bag End to finish dropping the eaves.
}}

==Explanation==
Sequels are often made to resolve pressing issues that are left unresolved in the original works. This comic was a humorous take on how the then-upcoming sequel in the {{w|Star Wars franchise}} might have resolved issues from a previous film in that series.

===Star Wars background===
In the first-produced movie of the series, ''{{w|Star Wars (film)|Star Wars:Episode IV: A New Hope}}'', {{w|Luke Skywalker}}'s uncle tells him to clean two newly purchased droids ({{w|R2-D2}} and {{w|C-3PO}}). Luke complains that he had plans to pick up some power converters at Tosche Station. Luke is told to clean the droids first; however, while doing so, he discovers a message carried by R2-D2, starting him on a course of events that runs through the original trilogy. As a result, he never ultimately goes to Tosche Station.

The conversation between Luke and his uncle, {{w|Owen Lars}}, is as follows:
:'''Uncle Owen:''' Luke! Take these two over to the garage will ya? I want ’em cleaned up before dinner.
:'''Luke:''' But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!
:'''Uncle Owen:''' You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done. Now, come on. Get to it.

Luke's line is one of many well-known lines from the series and is often-quoted as an example of how Luke is initially portrayed as a whiny teenager. By the end of the {{W|Return of the Jedi|''Episode VI:Return of the Jedi''}}, Luke has grown into a mature and powerful Jedi, completing his transformation through the original trilogy.

====The Force Awakens====
''{{w|Star Wars: The Force Awakens|Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens}}'' is (at the time of the comic's release) the upcoming seventh feature-length live-action film in the ''Star Wars'' series, and is the first since the rights to the franchise were sold by creator George Lucas to the Disney Company. It is a sequel to the original trilogy.

Since creating the original trilogy, many of Lucas's decisions in respect of the franchise have been subject to fan criticism, including criticism of the quality of three prequel films Lucas produced beginning in 1999 (after a more than 15-year hiatus). The new seventh film was entrusted by Disney to producer/director J.J. Abrams, who in 2009 produced and directed the highly acclaimed (although still highly criticized by some fans) ''Star Trek'' reboot.

Given all of this context, the new ''Star Wars'' film is as highly anticipated, or more highly anticipated than the prequel trilogy, and has a strong buzz around it. Much of the early buzz surrounded the nature of the new film's plot: For example, whether it would be a prequel or a sequel, and whether it would feature any of the original cast/characters

{{w|J. J. Abrams}} and others involved in the filming ''{{w|Star Wars: The Force Awakens|Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens}}'' had appeared in a panel at San Diego Comic-Con the weekend prior to the comic's release to unveil details about the film. This is likely the impetus for the timing of this comic.

===The Comic===
This comic portrays Randall's own conception of what the new sequel might be. In his version of the movie, Luke returns home to {{w|Tatooine}} years later with R2-D2 to finish the errand that was interrupted. Luke goes to Tosche Station and says "I'm here for '''those''' power converters", thus completing this unresolved task from the first movie. The action is bookended by the opening and {{w|closing credits}}, suggesting this uneventful scene comprises the entire film.

Therefore, the comic jokingly implies that getting the power converters was the most pressing of all the unresolved issues in the other films, and the most interesting upon which to base the sequel. In reality, this would likely be one of the least entertaining and most disappointing sequels that could possibly be made (perhaps second only to a version that had no reference to the previous films at all). Randall may have also been commenting that there are few if any unresolved issues in the Star Wars franchise that required revisiting and that the series should be left alone.

The title text alludes to another fantasy franchise, ''{{w|Lord of the Rings}}'', and how {{w|Samwise Gamgee}} was similarly interrupted from a menial task of gardening and listening in on conversations outside {{w|Bag End}} by {{w|Gandalf}} and his quest to save the world at the start of the first film. The title text uses the term “dropping eaves” as Samwise did in his denial of eavesdropping in on the conversation between Frodo and Gandalf. In both cases, the issue of collecting power converters and Sam’s gardening duties were left unresolved in their respective stories and the main plot of the series is thoroughly concluded.

==Transcript==
:[Black background with white letters in the style of the Star Wars logo with the subtitle in between the two words.]
:'''Star'''
:The Force Awakens
:'''Wars'''

:[Building in the desert, two persons are seen in the background, and Cueball is running in front of the building. Next to the building is a sign.]
:Sign: Tosche Station

:[A hooded man standing next to R2D2 has entered the building, and is seen in front of the opening portal with the desert in the background.]
:Hooded man: Hello.

:[Closeup of hooded man. The man has a mustache and a beard and thick black hair.]
:Hooded man: I’m here for those power converters.

:[Black background with white letters resembling movie credits.]
:Directed by
:'''J.J. Abrams'''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:LOTR]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

575: Tag Combination

2016-04-07T16:44:25Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Since the song is about lesbian sex, come on someone must mean have an orgasm while being on someone.

{{comic
| number = 575
| date = April 29, 2009
| title = Tag Combination
| image = tag combination.png
| titletext = I love Eileen / and want you to love her / When you're around / I'm one floor above her / If you could see / just how much I adore her / Oh, that pretty red dress / I'd do anything for her / (Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)
}}

==Explanation==

Song tags are a form of file {{w|metadata}} used to categorize music. Tags will typically describe the content and genre of the song, and many music organization programs and services will allow users to find all songs that contain a particular tag; so when a user searches for "Country breakup music," they will receive a list of {{w|Country music|country}} songs about breaking up.

In this comic, [[Cueball]] tests [[Megan]]'s claim that she can make a song name for any set of tags by coming up with a collection of mostly unrelated words: "{{w|lesbian}} {{w|voyeurism}} {{w|one-hit wonder}} {{w|Mashup (music)|mash-up|}}." A {{w|lesbian}} is a woman who is only sexually interested in other women. {{w|Voyeurism}} is the act of watching someone else do something sexual, generally without their knowledge. A {{w|one-hit wonder}} is a band that had "one big hit" before fading from the public eye forever. A {{w|Mashup (music)|mash-up}} is when someone takes two previously unrelated songs and makes a third song that's a mix of both of them (a recent example of which would be [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82LCKBdjywQ this Gangam Style/Ghostbusters theme mashup]). In response, Megan immediately replies with one song title that looks like it would fit the tags well. When Cueball asks for a second example, Megan gives him a new example for the same set of tags, which is really impressing.

Megan's first title, "I Wish That Stacy's Mom Had Jessie's Girl" is a ''mash-up'' of {{w|Jessie's Girl|"Jessie's Girl"}} by {{w|Rick Springfield}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYkbTyHXwbs video] on youtube) , and {{w|Stacy's Mom|"Stacy's Mom"}} by {{w|Fountains of Wayne}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZLfasMPOU4 video] on youtube), the latter was a ''one-hit-wonders'', whereas Springfield has had several other hits. (The song Stacy's Mom was referenced in comic [[61: Stacey's Dad]]).

The second title, "When You Come on Eileen I Touch Myself" is a ''mash-up'' of {{w|Come On Eileen|"Come on Eileen"}} by {{w|Dexys Midnight Runners}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVxcwe7EcaY video] on youtube), and {{w|I Touch Myself|"I Touch Myself"}} by {{w|Divinyls}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv-34w8kGPM video] on youtube). Both of these are one-hit wonders (and can both be found on [http://afrokayo.web.fc2.com/mdata_vh1_greatest_onehit_wonders.html this list] of such songs). Note that "Come on, Eileen" means "Hurry up, Eileen", and that "to come on someone" means to ejaculate on someone. Since the song is about lesbian sex, come on someone must mean have an orgasm while being on someone.

===Tags===
*Lesbian: Here "had" means "had sex with". The two women having sex are Stacy's mom and Jessie's Girl
*Voyeurism:
**Someone wishes the two women had each other (so they could be looked upon)
**"When You Come on Eileen I Touch Myself", i.e. the voyeur looks at someone who actually comes (has orgasm) on Eileen while they are having sex.
*One-hit wonder: "{{w|Stacy's Mom}}" by Fountains of Wayne, "{{w|Come On Eileen}}" by Dexys Midnight Runners and "{{w|I Touch Myself}}" by Divinyls.
*Mash-up: Both verses are mash-ups of two other song titles.

===Title text===
The title text is a set of potential lyrics to Megan's second title. [[Randall]] borrowed the rhyme scheme, phrasing, and subject matter from the first eight {{w|stanzas}} of "I Touch Myself" with additional subject matter inspired by "Come on Eileen." The final stanza is the chorus lead-in from the latter.

The subject is now changed so instead of a guy being smitten with a girl, so much he touches himself when he thinks about it, it has now changed to a lesbian woman is in the apartment above when he or she loves Eileen (which she wants them to do) and she probably touches herself when this happens as per the title of this mash-up.

Here are the lyrics for [http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-touch-myself-lyrics-the-divinyls.html I Touch Myself] and [http://www.metrolyrics.com/come-on-eileen-lyrics-dexys-midnight-runners.html Come on Eileen]. Below in the table the mashed up lines are shown. As can be seen most of the text is from "I Touch Myself":

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Mashed up line
! Line from "I Touch Myself"
! Line from "Come On Eileen"
|-
| I love Eileen
| '''I love''' myself (1st line).
| Come on '''Eileen''' (1st line).
|-
| and want you to love her
| I '''want you to love''' me (2nd part of 1st line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| When you're around
| '''When you're around''' (11th line).
| No line.
|-
| I'm one floor above her
| '''I''' want you '''above''' me (2nd line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| If you could see
| A fool '''could see''' (15th line).
| No line.
|-
| just how much I adore her
| '''just how much I adore''' you (2nd part of previous line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| Oh, that pretty red dress
| There are many '''Oh''' in this song, but also in the other.
| '''That pretty red dress''' (30th line).
|-
| I'd do anything for her
| '''I'd do anything for''' you (16th line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| (Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)
| No line.
| '''(Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)''' (11th line).
|}

==Transcript==
:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: So you can come up with a song title fitting any tag combination?
:Megan: Try me.

:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: Lesbian voyeurism one-hit wonder mash-up.
:Megan: "I wish that Stacey's Mom had Jessie's Girl."

:[Cueball and Megan are just standing there for a beat panel.]

:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: Well, that was one, but-
:Megan: "When you Come On Eileen I touch myself."
:Cueball: Okay, wow.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]

575: Tag Combination

2016-04-07T16:42:45Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Actual explanation

{{comic
| number = 575
| date = April 29, 2009
| title = Tag Combination
| image = tag combination.png
| titletext = I love Eileen / and want you to love her / When you're around / I'm one floor above her / If you could see / just how much I adore her / Oh, that pretty red dress / I'd do anything for her / (Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)
}}

==Explanation==

Song tags are a form of file {{w|metadata}} used to categorize music. Tags will typically describe the content and genre of the song, and many music organization programs and services will allow users to find all songs that contain a particular tag; so when a user searches for "Country breakup music," they will receive a list of {{w|Country music|country}} songs about breaking up.

In this comic, [[Cueball]] tests [[Megan]]'s claim that she can make a song name for any set of tags by coming up with a collection of mostly unrelated words: "{{w|lesbian}} {{w|voyeurism}} {{w|one-hit wonder}} {{w|Mashup (music)|mash-up|}}." A {{w|lesbian}} is a woman who is only sexually interested in other women. {{w|Voyeurism}} is the act of watching someone else do something sexual, generally without their knowledge. A {{w|one-hit wonder}} is a band that had "one big hit" before fading from the public eye forever. A {{w|Mashup (music)|mash-up}} is when someone takes two previously unrelated songs and makes a third song that's a mix of both of them (a recent example of which would be [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82LCKBdjywQ this Gangam Style/Ghostbusters theme mashup]). In response, Megan immediately replies with one song title that looks like it would fit the tags well. When Cueball asks for a second example, Megan gives him a new example for the same set of tags, which is really impressing.

Megan's first title, "I Wish That Stacy's Mom Had Jessie's Girl" is a ''mash-up'' of {{w|Jessie's Girl|"Jessie's Girl"}} by {{w|Rick Springfield}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYkbTyHXwbs video] on youtube) , and {{w|Stacy's Mom|"Stacy's Mom"}} by {{w|Fountains of Wayne}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZLfasMPOU4 video] on youtube), the latter was a ''one-hit-wonders'', whereas Springfield has had several other hits. (The song Stacy's Mom was referenced in comic [[61: Stacey's Dad]]).

The second title, "When You Come on Eileen I Touch Myself" is a ''mash-up'' of {{w|Come On Eileen|"Come on Eileen"}} by {{w|Dexys Midnight Runners}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVxcwe7EcaY video] on youtube), and {{w|I Touch Myself|"I Touch Myself"}} by {{w|Divinyls}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv-34w8kGPM video] on youtube). Both of these are one-hit wonders (and can both be found on [http://afrokayo.web.fc2.com/mdata_vh1_greatest_onehit_wonders.html this list] of such songs). Note that "Come on, Eileen" means "Hurry up, Eileen", and that "to come on someone" means to ejaculate on someone.

===Tags===
*Lesbian: Here "had" means "had sex with". The two women having sex are Stacy's mom and Jessie's Girl
*Voyeurism:
**Someone wishes the two women had each other (so they could be looked upon)
**"When You Come on Eileen I Touch Myself", i.e. the voyeur looks at someone who actually comes (has orgasm) on Eileen while they are having sex.
*One-hit wonder: "{{w|Stacy's Mom}}" by Fountains of Wayne, "{{w|Come On Eileen}}" by Dexys Midnight Runners and "{{w|I Touch Myself}}" by Divinyls.
*Mash-up: Both verses are mash-ups of two other song titles.

===Title text===
The title text is a set of potential lyrics to Megan's second title. [[Randall]] borrowed the rhyme scheme, phrasing, and subject matter from the first eight {{w|stanzas}} of "I Touch Myself" with additional subject matter inspired by "Come on Eileen." The final stanza is the chorus lead-in from the latter.

The subject is now changed so instead of a guy being smitten with a girl, so much he touches himself when he thinks about it, it has now changed to a lesbian woman is in the apartment above when he or she loves Eileen (which she wants them to do) and she probably touches herself when this happens as per the title of this mash-up.

Here are the lyrics for [http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-touch-myself-lyrics-the-divinyls.html I Touch Myself] and [http://www.metrolyrics.com/come-on-eileen-lyrics-dexys-midnight-runners.html Come on Eileen]. Below in the table the mashed up lines are shown. As can be seen most of the text is from "I Touch Myself":

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Mashed up line
! Line from "I Touch Myself"
! Line from "Come On Eileen"
|-
| I love Eileen
| '''I love''' myself (1st line).
| Come on '''Eileen''' (1st line).
|-
| and want you to love her
| I '''want you to love''' me (2nd part of 1st line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| When you're around
| '''When you're around''' (11th line).
| No line.
|-
| I'm one floor above her
| '''I''' want you '''above''' me (2nd line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| If you could see
| A fool '''could see''' (15th line).
| No line.
|-
| just how much I adore her
| '''just how much I adore''' you (2nd part of previous line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| Oh, that pretty red dress
| There are many '''Oh''' in this song, but also in the other.
| '''That pretty red dress''' (30th line).
|-
| I'd do anything for her
| '''I'd do anything for''' you (16th line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| (Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)
| No line.
| '''(Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)''' (11th line).
|}

==Transcript==
:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: So you can come up with a song title fitting any tag combination?
:Megan: Try me.

:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: Lesbian voyeurism one-hit wonder mash-up.
:Megan: "I wish that Stacey's Mom had Jessie's Girl."

:[Cueball and Megan are just standing there for a beat panel.]

:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: Well, that was one, but-
:Megan: "When you Come On Eileen I touch myself."
:Cueball: Okay, wow.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]

575: Tag Combination

2016-04-07T15:53:21Z

Demro: /* Tags */ More detail

{{comic
| number = 575
| date = April 29, 2009
| title = Tag Combination
| image = tag combination.png
| titletext = I love Eileen / and want you to love her / When you're around / I'm one floor above her / If you could see / just how much I adore her / Oh, that pretty red dress / I'd do anything for her / (Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)
}}

==Explanation==

Song tags are a form of file {{w|metadata}} used to categorize music. Tags will typically describe the content and genre of the song, and many music organization programs and services will allow users to find all songs that contain a particular tag; so when a user searches for "Country breakup music," they will receive a list of {{w|Country music|country}} songs about breaking up.

In this comic, [[Cueball]] tests [[Megan]]'s claim that she can make a song name for any set of tags by coming up with a collection of mostly unrelated words: "{{w|lesbian}} {{w|voyeurism}} {{w|one-hit wonder}} {{w|Mashup (music)|mash-up|}}." A {{w|lesbian}} is a woman who is only sexually interested in other women. {{w|Voyeurism}} is the act of watching someone else do something sexual, generally without their knowledge. A {{w|one-hit wonder}} is a band that had "one big hit" before fading from the public eye forever. A {{w|Mashup (music)|mash-up}} is when someone takes two previously unrelated songs and makes a third song that's a mix of both of them (a recent example of which would be [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82LCKBdjywQ this Gangam Style/Ghostbusters theme mashup]). In response, Megan almost immediately replies with two song titles that look like they would fit the tags well.

Megan's first title, "I Wish That Stacy's Mom Had Jessie's Girl" is a ''mash-up'' of {{w|Jessie's Girl|"Jessie's Girl"}} by {{w|Rick Springfield}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYkbTyHXwbs video] on youtube) , and {{w|Stacy's Mom|"Stacy's Mom"}} by {{w|Fountains of Wayne}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZLfasMPOU4 video] on youtube), the latter was a ''one-hit-wonders'', whereas Springfield has had several other hits. (The song Stacy's Mom was referenced in comic [[61: Stacey's Dad]]).

The second title, "When You Come on Eileen I Touch Myself" is a ''mash-up'' of {{w|Come On Eileen|"Come on Eileen"}} by {{w|Dexys Midnight Runners}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVxcwe7EcaY video] on youtube), and {{w|I Touch Myself|"I Touch Myself"}} by {{w|Divinyls}} (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv-34w8kGPM video] on youtube). Both of these are one-hit wonders (and can both be found on [http://afrokayo.web.fc2.com/mdata_vh1_greatest_onehit_wonders.html this list] of such songs). Note that "Come on, Eileen" means "Hurry up, Eileen", and that "to come on someone" means to ejaculate on someone.

===Tags===
*Lesbian: Here "had" means "had sex with". The two women having sex are Stacy's mom and Jessie's Girl
*Voyeurism:
**Someone wishes the two women had each other (so they could be looked upon)
**"When You Come on Eileen I Touch Myself", i.e. the voyeur looks at someone who actually comes (has orgasm) on Eileen while they are having sex.
*One-hit wonder: "{{w|Stacy's Mom}}" by Fountains of Wayne, "{{w|Come On Eileen}}" by Dexys Midnight Runners and "{{w|I Touch Myself}}" by Divinyls.
*Mash-up: Both verses are mash-ups of two other song titles.

===Title text===
The title text is a set of potential lyrics to Megan's second title. [[Randall]] borrowed the rhyme scheme, phrasing, and subject matter from the first eight {{w|stanzas}} of "I Touch Myself" with additional subject matter inspired by "Come on Eileen." The final stanza is the chorus lead-in from the latter.

The subject is now changed so instead of a guy being smitten with a girl, so much he touches himself when he thinks about it, it has now changed to a lesbian woman is in the apartment above when he or she loves Eileen (which she wants them to do) and she probably touches herself when this happens as per the title of this mash-up.

Here are the lyrics for [http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-touch-myself-lyrics-the-divinyls.html I Touch Myself] and [http://www.metrolyrics.com/come-on-eileen-lyrics-dexys-midnight-runners.html Come on Eileen]. Below in the table the mashed up lines are shown. As can be seen most of the text is from "I Touch Myself":

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Mashed up line
! Line from "I Touch Myself"
! Line from "Come On Eileen"
|-
| I love Eileen
| '''I love''' myself (1st line).
| Come on '''Eileen''' (1st line).
|-
| and want you to love her
| I '''want you to love''' me (2nd part of 1st line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| When you're around
| '''When you're around''' (11th line).
| No line.
|-
| I'm one floor above her
| '''I''' want you '''above''' me (2nd line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| If you could see
| A fool '''could see''' (15th line).
| No line.
|-
| just how much I adore her
| '''just how much I adore''' you (2nd part of previous line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| Oh, that pretty red dress
| There are many '''Oh''' in this song, but also in the other.
| '''That pretty red dress''' (30th line).
|-
| I'd do anything for her
| '''I'd do anything for''' you (16th line).
| No line - the '''her''' is now referring to Eileen.
|-
| (Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)
| No line.
| '''(Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye ayy)''' (11th line).
|}

==Transcript==
:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: So you can come up with a song title fitting any tag combination?
:Megan: Try me.

:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: Lesbian voyeurism one-hit wonder mash-up.
:Megan: "I wish that Stacey's Mom had Jessie's Girl."

:[Cueball and Megan are just standing there for a beat panel.]

:[Cueball and Megan are talking.]
:Cueball: Well, that was one, but-
:Megan: "When you Come On Eileen I touch myself."
:Cueball: Okay, wow.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Homosexuality]]

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-04-07T12:40:27Z

Demro: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
In what follows we will use numpad notation for tic-tac-toe, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Pixel values are taken from http://xkcd.com/832_large/.

Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, and its optimal move is X7. Any corner would do, so X1, X3 and X9 are also optimal moves. The map for X has a big red X7 (650×650 pixels), and the 8 remaining grids have a smaller (210×210) black X7.

The map for O has more combinations, because in this case X is not assumed to be optimal. All 9 subgrids have one big (210×210) black X and one big red O.

Note that only optimal moves are shown. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2 in Map of X, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find a 660×660 grid beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in Map for X is X7. This means that O must go to cell 7 in Map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell O5. Therefore X must magnify cell 5 in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is X3, i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.

Assume X moves X9. You select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3 and you select that cell in your editor, which is 73×73 pixels wide and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct pictures should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

In Map for O, the grid for X8, O5, X2, O6 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 8, and then select cell 2) shows the same picture for X1 and X3. Those pictures belong to X3. The correct pictures should be:
|X| \ / |X|
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
X| |X / \ |X|X

In Map for O, the grid for X2, O5, X8, O4 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 2, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for X7 and X9. Those pictures belong to X7. The correct pictures should be:
X|X| \ / |X|X
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
|X| / \ |X|

In Map for O, the grid for X6, O5, X4, O2 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 6, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for X1 and X7. Those pictures belong to X1. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|
=====
\ /
\ /
X
/ \
/ \
=====
|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
X|O|

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-04-07T12:35:39Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ More detail

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
In what follows we will use numpad notation for tic-tac-toe, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, and its optimal move is X7. Any corner would do, so X1, X3 and X9 are also optimal moves. The map for X has a big red X7 (640×640 pixels), and the 8 remaining grids have a smaller (210×210) black X7.

The map for O has more combinations, because in this case X is not assumed to be optimal. All 9 subgrids have one big (210×210) black X and one big red O.

Note that only optimal moves are shown. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2 in Map of X, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find grids beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in Map for X is X7. This means that O must go to cell 7 in Map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell O5. Therefore X must magnify cell 5 in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is X3, i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.

Assume X moves X9. You select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3 and you select that cell in your editor, which is 73×73 pixels wide and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct pictures should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

In Map for O, the grid for X8, O5, X2, O6 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 8, and then select cell 2) shows the same picture for X1 and X3. Those pictures belong to X3. The correct pictures should be:
|X| \ / |X|
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
X| |X / \ |X|X

In Map for O, the grid for X2, O5, X8, O4 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 2, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for X7 and X9. Those pictures belong to X7. The correct pictures should be:
X|X| \ / |X|X
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
|X| / \ |X|

In Map for O, the grid for X6, O5, X4, O2 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 6, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for X1 and X7. Those pictures belong to X1. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|
=====
\ /
\ /
X
/ \
/ \
=====
|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
X|O|

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-04-07T12:21:48Z

Demro: /* Errors */ Correct pictures (diagrams)

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, which is why the map for O has more possible move combinations and, therefore, more subdivisions.

In what follows we will use numpad notation, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Note that only optimal moves are shown. This means that X only begins with X7, and all grids and subgrids in Map for X have an X in position 7. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find grids beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in Map for X is X7. This means that O must go to cell 7 in Map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell O5. Therefore X must magnify cell 5 in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is X3, i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.

Assume X moves X9. You select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3 and you select that cell in your editor, which is 73×73 pixels wide and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct pictures should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

In Map for O, the grid for X8, O5, X2, O6 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 8, and then select cell 2) shows the same picture for X1 and X3. Those pictures belong to X3. The correct pictures should be:
|X| \ / |X|
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
X| |X / \ |X|X

In Map for O, the grid for X2, O5, X8, O4 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 2, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for X7 and X9. Those pictures belong to X7. The correct pictures should be:
X|X| \ / |X|X
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
|X| / \ |X|

In Map for O, the grid for X6, O5, X4, O2 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 6, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for X1 and X7. Those pictures belong to X1. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|
=====
\ /
\ /
X
/ \
/ \
=====
|O|
-+-+-
X|O|X
-+-+-
X|O|

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-04-06T22:36:09Z

Demro: /* Errors */ Error 5

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, which is why the map for O has more possible move combinations and, therefore, more subdivisions.

In what follows we will use numpad notation, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Note that only optimal moves are shown. This means that X only begins with X7, and all grids and subgrids in Map for X have an X in position 7. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find grids beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in Map for X is X7. This means that O must go to cell 7 in Map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell O5. Therefore X must magnify cell 5 in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is X3, i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.

Assume X moves X9. You select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3 and you select that cell in your editor, which is 73×73 pixels wide and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct pictures should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

In Map for O, the grid for X8, O5, X2, O6 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 8, and then select cell 2) shows the same picture for X1 and X3. Those pictures belong to X3. The correct pictures should be:
|X| \ / |X|
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
X| |X / \ |X|X

In Map for O, the grid for X2, O5, X8, O4 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 2, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for X7 and X9. Those pictures belong to X7. The correct pictures should be:
X|X| \ / |X|X
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
|X| / \ |X|

In Map for O, the grid for X6, O5, X4, O2 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 6, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for X1 and X7. Those pictures belong to X1.

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-04-06T22:32:19Z

Demro: /* Errors */ error 4

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, which is why the map for O has more possible move combinations and, therefore, more subdivisions.

In what follows we will use numpad notation, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Note that only optimal moves are shown. This means that X only begins with X7, and all grids and subgrids in Map for X have an X in position 7. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find grids beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in Map for X is X7. This means that O must go to cell 7 in Map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell O5. Therefore X must magnify cell 5 in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is X3, i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.

Assume X moves X9. You select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3 and you select that cell in your editor, which is 73×73 pixels wide and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct pictures should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

In Map for O, the grid for X8, O5, X2, O6 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 8, and then select cell 2) shows the same picture for X1 and X3. Those pictures belong to X3. The correct pictures should be:
|X| \ / |X|
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
X| |X / \ |X|X

In Map for O, the grid for X2, O5, X8, O4 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 2, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for X7 and X9. Those pictures belong to X7. The correct pictures should be:
X|X| \ / |X|X
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
|X| / \ |X|

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-04-06T22:27:14Z

Demro: /* Errors */ New error

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, which is why the map for O has more possible move combinations and, therefore, more subdivisions.

In what follows we will use numpad notation, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Note that only optimal moves are shown. This means that X only begins with X7, and all grids and subgrids in Map for X have an X in position 7. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find grids beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in Map for X is X7. This means that O must go to cell 7 in Map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell O5. Therefore X must magnify cell 5 in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is X3, i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.

Assume X moves X9. You select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3 and you select that cell in your editor, which is 73×73 pixels wide and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct pictures should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct pictures should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

In Map for O, the grid for X8, O5, X2, O6 (i.e. go to Map for O, select cell 8, and then select cell 2) shows the same picture for X1 and X3. Those pictures belong to X3. The correct pictures should be:
|X| \ / |X|
-+-+- \ / -+-+-
O|O|O X O|O|O
-+-+- / \ -+-+-
X| |X / \ |X|X

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-04-06T21:57:10Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Numpad notation

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, which is why the map for O has more possible move combinations and, therefore, more subdivisions.

In what follows we will use numpad notation, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Note that only optimal moves are shown. This means that X only begins with X7, and all grids and subgrids in Map for X have an X in position 7. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find grids beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in Map for X is X7. This means that O must go to cell 7 in Map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell O5. Therefore X must magnify cell 5 in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is X3, i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.

Assume X moves X9. You select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3 and you select that cell in your editor, which is 73×73 pixels wide and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct picture should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct picture should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-04-06T21:53:25Z

Demro: /* Explanation */ Rotation is provided in Map for O

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, which is why the map for O has more possible move combinations and, therefore, more subdivisions.

In what follows we will use numpad notation, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Note that only optimal moves are shown. This means that X only begins with X7, and all grids and subgrids in Map for X have an X in position 7. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find grids beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

;Example 1
The largest red X in the map for X is in cell (1,3), assuming a 3×3 grid. This means that O must go to cell (1,3) of the map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell (2,2). Therefore X must magnify the (2,2) cell in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is in (3,1), i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.

Assume X moves X9. You select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3 and you select that cell in your editor, which is 73×73 pixels wide and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct picture should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct picture should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-04-06T21:50:08Z

Demro: /* Errors */ Error 2

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, which is why the map for O has more possible move combinations and, therefore, more subdivisions.

In what follows we will use numpad notation, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Note that only optimal moves are shown. This means that X only begins with X7, and all grids and subgrids in Map for X have an X in position 7. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find grids beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

Of course X1, X3 and X9 are equivalent to X7. If you are O and your oponent chose one of these cells you must rotate the grid

;Example 1
The largest red X in the map for X is in cell (1,3), assuming a 3×3 grid. This means that O must go to cell (1,3) of the map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell (2,2). Therefore X must magnify the (2,2) cell in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is in (3,1), i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.

Assume X moves X9. You select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3 and you select that cell in your editor, which is 73×73 pixels wide and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct picture should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

In Map for X, the grid for X7, O1, X9, O8, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 1, and then select cell 8) shows the same picture for O2 and O5. Those pictures belong to O2. The correct picture should be:
X|O|X
-+-+-
|O|X
-+-+-
O| |X
=====
X|O|X
-+-+-
| |X
-+-+-
O|O|X

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]

832: Tic-Tac-Toe

2016-04-06T21:40:46Z

Demro: Errors

{{comic
| number = 832
| date = December 10, 2010
| title = Tic-Tac-Toe
| image = Tic_tac_toe.png
| titletext = The only winning move is to play, perfectly, waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
}}

==Explanation==
Each map shows every possible combination of moves which will result in that side winning or tying. It assumes that X moves first, which is why the map for O has more possible move combinations and, therefore, more subdivisions.

In what follows we will use numpad notation, i.e.:
7|8|9
-+-+-
4|5|6
-+-+-
1|2|3

Note that only optimal moves are shown. This means that X only begins with X7, and all grids and subgrids in Map for X have an X in position 7. For example, you can't find a grid beginning with X2, because X2 is not an optimal move.

In map for O you can find grids beginnig with X2. Since the optimal answer is O5, you won't find X2, O8, for example.

Of course X1, X3 and X9 are equivalent to X7. If you are O and your oponent chose one of these cells you must rotate the grid

;Example 1
The largest red X in the map for X is in cell (1,3), assuming a 3×3 grid. This means that O must go to cell (1,3) of the map for O. The largest red O in this subgrid is the center cell (2,2). Therefore X must magnify the (2,2) cell in the map for X and look for a big red X, which is in (3,1), i.e. in the cell (6, 4) in a 9×9 grid. This can be repeated until one of the players wins or there is a tie.

;Example 2
Download http://xkcd.com/832_large/ and edit it. Delete the upper part. Now you have a picture sized 2040×2150 pixels, with title MAP FOR O.

Assume X used the center cell, X5. You as O must magnify the center cell in the 3×3 map for O. Better still, select that cell and delete everything else. Now you have a picture sized 670×670 pixels, with a big red O7 and a big black X5. You must move O7 this time.

Assume X moves X9. You select cell 9, which is 220×220 pixels. Look for the biggest red O, which is O1. You can see you blocked a winning move.
O| |X
-+-+-
|X|
-+-+-
O| |

Now X, naively, plays X3 and you select that cell in your editor, which is 73×73 pixels wide and looks like this
O| |X
-+-+-
O|X|
-+-+-
O| |X
The O in cell 4 is red, which is your winning move.

;Title text
The title text is a reference to the 1983 movie ''{{w|WarGames}}''. In that movie, by playing Tic-Tac-Toe the AI realizes that some games cannot be won when all the players play flawlessly, and subsequently concludes that the only way to win at the nuclear warfare "game" is not to play.

==Errors==
In Map for X, the grid for X7, O9, X1, O4, X3 (i.e. go to Map for X, select cell 9, and then select cell 4) shows the same picture for O5 and O6. Those pictures belong to O6. The correct picture should be:
X| |O X| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
O|O| O| |O
-+-+- -+-+-
X|X|X X|X|X

==See also==
http://xkcd.com/832_large/

==Transcript==
:[The comic comprises two large square maps, each divided into nine sections, some of which are further subdivided in the same way. The subdivisions continue down for up to five levels, and the lower map has more tiny diagrams than the upper. The smallest divisions at every scale are completed tic-tac-toe games. At the smallest divisions some of the moves are too small to see.]

:Complete map of optimal Tic-Tac-Toe moves

:Your move is given by the position of the largest red symbol on the grid. When your opponent picks a move, zoom in on the region of the grid where they went. Repeat.

:Map for X:
:[The first square map.]

:Map for O:
:[The second square map.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]